Detection of west nile virus nucleic acids in the viral 3&#39; non-coding region

ABSTRACT

Compositions for detecting  flavivirus  nucleic acids. Particularly described are compositions for detecting West Nile virus nucleic acids in the 3′ non-coding region. These compositions are preferably oligonucleotides comprising nucleotide sequences that are substantially complementary to a West Nile virus target nucleic acid. These compositions preferably comprise a detectable moiety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/273,835, filed May 9, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/032,464, filed Feb. 22, 2011, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/932,012, filed Oct.31, 2007, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,840, which claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/519,359, filed Sep. 11,2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,732,169, which claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/688,489, filed Oct. 16, 2003, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,374, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/449,810, filed Feb. 24, 2003; U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/429,006, filed Nov. 25, 2002; and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/418,891, filed Oct. 16, 2002. Thedisclosures of these prior applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention disclosed herein were made withgovernment support under contract N01-HB-07148 with the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. TheUnited States government has certain rights in these aspects of theinvention.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology. Morespecifically, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detectingthe nucleic acids of flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus.

BACKGROUND

West Nile virus (WNV) is an RNA virus that primarily infects birds andculex mosquitos, with humans and horses serving as incidental hosts.Amplification of virus in a bird-mosquito-bird cycle begins when adultmosquitos emerge in early spring and continues until fall. This timingcoincides with the incidence of disease in humans, which peaks in latesummer and early fall. Since it was first detected in New York during1999, the virus has spread rapidly throughout most of the United States.

Indeed, during the first nine months of 2002, a total of more than 2,500human cases with laboratory evidence of recent WNV infection werereported in 32 states and the District of Columbia. A total of more than120 human deaths were reported, with the median age of decedents being79 years. Additionally, there were reports of nearly 5,000 dead crowsand nearly 4,000 other dead birds with WNV infection in the UnitedStates. Of more than 3,000 mammals detected with WNV infection, greaterthan 99% were horses. There were also nearly 3,400 WNV-positive mosquitopools reported.

Most human infections with the virus are not clinically apparent.Overall, only 1 in 150 infections results in severe neurologic illnesssuch as meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) or encephalitis(inflammation of the brain). Milder symptoms, which generally last 3 to6 days and are more commonly reported in connection with WNV infection,include a fever of sudden onset, often accompanied by malaise, anorexia,nausea, vomiting, eye pain, headache, myalgia, rash, andlymphadenopathy. The incubation period of WNV, although not preciselyknown, probably ranges from 3 to 14 days. An analysis of attack ratesper million persons during the 1999 New York City outbreak showed thatthe incidence of severe neurologic disease was more than 40 times higherin those at least 80 years of age when compared with persons up to 19years of age. Thus, advanced age is an important risk factor for moresevere neurologic disease.

In addition to transmission from mosquitoes, transmission has beenlinked to blood transfusion and organ transplantation. For example, fourrecipients of transplanted organs from single donor in the U.S. becameinfected with West Nile virus in mid-2002. Three of the recipientsdeveloped encephalitis, with one of the three dying as a result. Thefourth recipient developed mild symptoms of viral infection withoutencephalitis, but also tested positive for the virus. The organ donor,who was injured in an automobile accident, received numeroustransfusions of blood products before dying. She was not known to havebeen ill before the accident, and a sample of her blood taken before anyof the transfusions showed no evidence of West Nile virus. In a separateinstance, a nursing mother whose breast milk contained WNV and a maleliver transplant patient both received transfused blood from a commondonor, and both developed West Nile virus infections. A stored bloodsample from that donor tested positive for the WNV, again suggesting acommon source of the infectious virus.

West Nile virus is a single-stranded plus-sense RNA virus taxonomicallyclassified in the family Flaviviridae, under the genus Flavivirus.Accordingly, the virus is a member of the Japanese encephalitis virusserocomplex, which contains several medically important virusesassociated with human encephalitis: Japanese encephalitis, St. Louisencephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, and Kunjin virus (anAustralian subtype of West Nile virus). The viral genome size isapproximately 11 kb.

Nucleic acid-based tests for WNV have been described. For example, Shiet al., in J. Clin. Microbiol. 39:1264 (2001) have described a real-timepolymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for WNV nucleic acids. Lanciottiet al., in J. Clin. Microbiol. 38:4066 (2001) have described aTaqMan-based assay for the detection of WNV RNA in human specimens,mosquito pools, and avian tissue specimens. Despite the availability ofthese PCR-based tests, there remains a need for a WNV screening assaythat is specifically adapted for the needs of clinical testinglaboratories. The method should particularly lend itself to highthroughput screening which may be required for testing large numbers ofclinical and donated blood or tissue samples.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the invention relates to a hybridization assay probefor detecting a nucleic acid. This hybridization assay probe includes aprobe sequence that has a target-complementary sequence of bases, andoptionally one or more base sequences that are not complementary to thenucleic acid that is to be detected. The target-complementary sequenceof bases consists of 12-87 contiguous bases contained within thesequence of SEQ ID NO:101 or the complement thereof, allowing for thepresence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%,or even up to 20% base differences. In general, the inventedhybridization assay probe can have a length of up to 100 bases. In apreferred embodiment, the target-complementary sequence of basesconsists of 12-69 contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQID NO:102 or the complement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNAand DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20%base differences. Still more preferably, the hybridization assay probeincludes the optional base sequences that are not complementary to thenucleic acid that is to be detected. Even still more preferably, thehybridization assay probe includes a detectable label. For example, theprobe may include a fluorophore moiety and a quencher moiety. In such aninstance the hybridization assay probe can be a molecular beacon. Anexemplary molecular beacon can include a target-complementary sequenceof bases that consists of any one of SEQ ID NO:179, SEQ ID NO:180 or SEQID NO:181. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of theinvented hybridization assay probe, when the target-complementarysequence of bases consists of 12-69 contiguous bases contained withinthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:102 or the complement thereof, allowing forthe presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to10%, or even up to 20% base differences, the probe sequence does notinclude the optional base sequences that are not complementary to thenucleic acid that is to be detected. Still more preferably, the inventedhybridization assay probe has a length of up to 69 bases, and yet stillmore preferably includes a detectable label. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, the target-complementary sequence of basesconsists of 18-52 contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQID NO:103 or the complement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNAand DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20%base differences. Still more preferably, the probe sequence does notinclude the optional base sequences that are not complementary to thenucleic acid that is to be detected, but may further include adetectable label. This detectable label can be either a chemiluminescentlabel or a fluorescent label. In accordance with an alternativeembodiment, the hybridization assay probe consists of 18-52 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:103 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences,and has a length of up to 52 bases. When this is the case, thetarget-complementary sequence of bases can consist of 18-22 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:103 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences,and the hybridization assay probe can have a length of up to 22 bases.In one embodiment, the invented probe can have the sequence of SEQ IDNO:116. In another embodiment, the probe sequence can be any of SEQ IDNO:114, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQID NO:107 or SEQ ID NO:106.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a kit for amplifying a targetnucleic acid sequence that may be present in a biological sample. Theinvented kit contains a first primer that has a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence and optionally a first primer upstreamsequence that is not complementary to the target nucleic acid sequencethat is to be amplified. The 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof this first primer includes 22 contiguous bases contained within SEQID NO:73, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences.Also included in the kit is a second primer that has a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence and optionally a second primer upstreamsequence that is not complementary to the target nucleic acid sequencethat is to be amplified. The 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the second primer includes 18 contiguous bases contained within SEQID NO:59, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. Ina preferred embodiment of the invented kit, the first primer and thesecond primer are each up to 60 bases in length. In another preferredembodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the firstprimer and the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the secondprimer are each up to 35 bases in length. When this is the case, it ispreferable for the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer to be up to 24 bases in length. Alternatively, and inaccordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the first primer can be up to 35 basesin length and the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thesecond primer can be up to 22 bases in length. When the first primer isup to 24 bases in length, it is highly preferred for the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer to be up to 22 basesin length. Still more preferably, the first primer includes a firstprimer upstream sequence, such as a promoter sequence for T7 RNApolymerase. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of theinvented kit, when the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer is up to 24 bases in length, and when the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer is up to 22 bases inlength, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the firstprimer is preferably any of SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:76 and SEQ ID NO:77,and the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primeris preferably any of SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ IDNO:64, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ IDNO:69, SEQ ID NO:70 and SEQ ID NO:71. In accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment, when the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the first primer is up to 24 bases in length, and when the 3′terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primer is up to 35bases in length, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer includes 22 contiguous bases contained within SEQ ID NO:74,allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogsand up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. When this is thecase, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primercan be up to 22 bases in length. Alternatively, the first primer mayinclude a first primer upstream sequence, such as a promoter sequencefor T7 RNA polymerase.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a hybridization assay probefor detecting a nucleic acid. The invented hybridization assay probeincludes a probe sequence that has a target-complementary sequence ofbases, and optionally one or more base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected. Thetarget-complementary sequence of bases consists of 10-20 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:99 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences.Finally, the invented hybridization assay probe can have a length of upto 100 bases. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the hybridizationassay probe is up to 30 bases. Still more preferably, the probe sequenceincludes the optional base sequences that are not complementary to thenucleic acid that is to be detected. In accordance with a first versionof this embodiment, there is further included a detectable label. Inaccordance with a second version of this embodiment, there is furtherincluded a fluorophore moiety and a quencher moiety, and thehybridization assay probe is a molecular beacon. In a differentembodiment, wherein the length of the hybridization assay probe is up to30 bases, the probe sequence consists of 10-20 contiguous basescontained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:99 or the complement thereof,allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogsand up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences, and does not includethe optional base sequences that are not complementary to the WNVnucleic acids. More preferably, the hybridization assay probe has alength of up to 20 bases. In certain embodiments wherein the length ofthe hybridization assay probe is up to 30 bases, thetarget-complementary sequence of bases consists of 19-20 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:99 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. Inaccordance with a first preferred version of this embodiment, the probesequence consists of 19-20 contiguous bases contained within thesequence of SEQ ID NO:99 or the complement thereof, allowing for thepresence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%,or even up to 20% base differences, and does not include the optionalbase sequences that are not complementary to the nucleic acid that is tobe detected. In accordance with a second preferred version of thisembodiment, the hybridization assay probe further includes a detectablelabel, such as a chemiluminescent label or a fluorescent label. Inaccordance with a third preferred version of this embodiment, thetarget-complementary sequence of bases consists of 19-20 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:99 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences,and the hybridization assay probe has a length of up to 20 bases. Forexample, the probe sequence can be SEQ ID NO:100. In accordance with adifferent embodiment, when the length of the hybridization assay probeis up to 30 bases, and when the probe sequence includes the optionalbase sequences that are not complementary to the nucleic acid that is tobe detected, the target-complementary sequence of bases may be any ofSEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO:166, SEQ ID NO:167, SEQ IDNO:168, SEQ ID NO:169 or SEQ ID NO:170.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a kit for amplifying a targetnucleic acid sequence that may be present in a biological sample. Thiskit contains a first primer that includes a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence and optionally a first primer upstreamsequence that is not complementary to the target nucleic acid sequencethat is to be amplified. The 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the first primer includes 22 contiguous bases contained within SEQ IDNO:52, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotideanalogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. The kitfurther contains a second primer that includes a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence and optionally a second primer upstreamsequence that is not complementary to the target nucleic acid sequencethat is to be amplified. The 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the second primer includes 22 contiguous bases contained within SEQID NO:41, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. Ina preferred embodiment, the first primer and the second primer each areup to 60 bases in length. In a different preferred embodiment, the 3′terminal target-complementary sequence of the first primer and the 3′terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primer are each upto 35 bases in length. When this is the case, the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the first primer is preferably up to 26bases in length. In accordance with a different preferred embodiment,when the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the first primerand the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primerare each up to 35 bases in length, the 3′ terminal target-complementarysequence of the second primer can be up to 23 bases in length. In yetanother preferred embodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementarysequence of the first primer is preferably up to 26 bases in length, andthe 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primer is upto 23 bases in length. In accordance with a first preferred version ofthis embodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer may be selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:53,SEQ ID NO:54 and SEQ ID NO:55, and the 3′ terminal target-complementarysequence of the second primer may be selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:46,SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ IDNO:51. In accordance with a second preferred version of this embodiment,the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the second primer is upto 23 bases in length. When this is the case, the first primer mayinclude a first primer upstream sequence, such as a promoter sequencefor T7 RNA polymerase.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a hybridization assay probefor detecting a nucleic acid. The invented hybridization assay probe hasa probe sequence that includes a target-complementary sequence of bases,and optionally one or more base sequences that are not complementary tothe nucleic acid that is to be detected. The target-complementarysequence of bases consists of 13-37 contiguous bases contained withinthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:95 or the complement thereof, allowing for thepresence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%,or even up to 20% base differences. Generally speaking, thehybridization assay probe can have a length of up to 100 bases. In apreferred embodiment, the length of the hybridization assay probe is upto 37 bases. More preferably, the hybridization assay probe includes theoptional base sequences that are not complementary to the nucleic acidthat is to be detected. Still more preferably, the hybridization assayprobe further includes a detectable label. For example, thehybridization assay probe may further include a fluorophore moiety and aquencher moiety. In this instance the hybridization assay probe can be amolecular beacon. In a different embodiment of the inventedhybridization assay probe, the probe sequence consists of 13-20contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:95 or thecomplement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% basedifferences, and does not include the optional base sequences that arenot complementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected. Inaccordance with still another embodiment, when the length of thehybridization assay probe is up to 37 bases, the target-complementarysequence of bases consists of 13-20 contiguous bases contained withinthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:95 or the complement thereof, allowing for thepresence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%,or even up to 20% base differences. More preferably, the probe sequenceconsists of 20 contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQ IDNO:95 or the complement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA andDNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20%base differences, and does not include the optional base sequences thatare not complementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected. Stillmore preferably, the hybridization assay probe further includes adetectable label, such as a chemiluminescent label or a fluorescentlabel. In accordance with still yet another preferred embodiment, whenthe length of the hybridization assay probe is up to 37 bases, and whenthe target-complementary sequence of bases consists of 13-20 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:95 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences,the probe sequence does not include the optional base sequences that arenot complementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected, and thehybridization assay probe has a length of up to 20 bases. For example,the probe sequence may be SEQ ID NO:98. Generally speaking, when thelength of the hybridization assay probe is up to 37 bases, thetarget-complementary sequence of bases can, for example, be any one ofSEQ ID NO:154, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:157, or SEQ IDNO:158.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a kit for amplifying a targetnucleic acid sequence that may be present in a biological sample. Theinvented kit contains a first primer that includes a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence, and optionally a first primer upstreamsequence that is not complementary to the target nucleic acid sequencethat is to be amplified. The 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the first primer includes 20 contiguous bases contained within SEQ IDNO:16, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotideanalogs and up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences. The kitfurther contains a second primer that includes a 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence up to 30 bases in length, and optionally asecond primer upstream sequence that is not complementary to the targetnucleic acid sequence that is to be amplified. The 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer includes 20contiguous bases contained within SEQ ID NO:1, allowing for the presenceof RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even upto 20% base differences. In a preferred embodiment, the first primer andthe second primer are each up to 60 bases in length. In a differentpreferred embodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence ofthe first primer is up to 35 bases in length. In accordance with a firstpreferred version of this embodiment, the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the first primer is up to 24 bases inlength. In accordance with a second preferred version of thisembodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the secondprimer is up to 24 bases in length. In yet another preferred embodiment,when the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of the first primeris up to 24 bases in length, the 3′ terminal target-complementarysequence of the second primer is preferably up to 24 bases in length. Inan alternative embodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the second primer is up to 26 bases in length and includes 20contiguous bases contained within SEQ ID NO:2, allowing for the presenceof RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10%, or even upto 20% base differences. In accordance with a first preferred version ofthis embodiment, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer is up to 24 bases in length. In accordance with a secondpreferred version of this embodiment, the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer is up to 24 bases inlength. Preferably, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thesecond primer is up to 24 bases in length. Still more preferably, the 3′terminal target-complementary sequence of the first primer is any one ofSEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26 or SEQ ID NO:28. In certainembodiments wherein the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of thefirst primer is up to 24 bases in length, and the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer is up to 26 bases inlength and includes 20 contiguous bases contained within SEQ ID NO:2,allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogsand up to 10%, or even up to 20% base differences, the 3′ terminaltarget-complementary sequence of the second primer is any one of SEQ IDNO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14 or SEQ IDNO:15. Alternatively, when the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequenceof the first primer is any one of SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ IDNO:26 or SEQ ID NO:28, the 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence ofthe second primer may be any of SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ IDNO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14 or SEQ ID NO:15. In accordance with ahighly preferred embodiment, the first primer includes the first primerupstream sequence, such as a promoter sequence for T7 RNA polymerase.

The following terms have the following meanings for the purpose of thisdisclosure, unless expressly stated to the contrary herein.

As used herein, a “biological sample” is any tissue orpolynucleotide-containing material obtained from a human, animal orenvironmental sample. Biological samples in accordance with theinvention include peripheral blood, plasma, serum or other body fluid,bone marrow or other organ, biopsy tissues or other materials ofbiological origin. A biological sample may be treated to disrupt tissueor cell structure, thereby releasing intracellular components into asolution which may contain enzymes, buffers, salts, detergents and thelike.

As used herein, “polynucleotide” means either RNA or DNA, along with anysynthetic nucleotide analogs or other molecules that may be present inthe sequence and that do not prevent hybridization of the polynucleotidewith a second molecule having a complementary sequence.

As used herein, a “detectable label” is a chemical species that can bedetected or can lead to a detectable response. Detectable labels inaccordance with the invention can be linked to polynucleotide probeseither directly or indirectly, and include radioisotopes, enzymes,haptens, chromophores such as dyes or particles that impart a detectablecolor (e.g., latex beads or metal particles), luminescent compounds(e.g., bioluminescent, phosphorescent or chemiluminescent moieties) andfluorescent compounds.

A “homogeneous detectable label” refers to a label that can be detectedin a homogeneous fashion by determining whether the label is on a probehybridized to a target sequence. That is, homogeneous detectable labelscan be detected without physically removing hybridized from unhybridizedforms of the label or labeled probe.

Homogeneous detectable labels are preferred when using labeled probesfor detecting WNV nucleic acids. Examples of homogeneous labels havebeen described in detail by Arnold et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,174;Woodhead et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,207; and Nelson et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,658,737. Preferred labels for use in homogenous assays includechemiluminescent compounds (e.g., see Woodhead et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,656,207; Nelson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,737; and Arnold, Jr., etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,604). Preferred chemiluminescent labels areacridinium ester (“AE”) compounds, such as standard AE or derivativesthereof (e.g., naphthyl-AE, ortho-AE, 1- or 3-methyl-AE,2,7-dimethyl-AE, 4,5-dimethyl-AE, ortho-dibromo-AE, ortho-dimethyl-AE,meta-dimethyl-AE, ortho-methoxy-AE, ortho-methoxy(cinnamyl)-AE,ortho-methyl-AE, ortho-fluoro-AE, 1- or 3-methyl-ortho-fluoro-AE, 1- or3-methyl-meta-difluoro-AE, and 2-methyl-AE).

A “homogeneous assay” refers to a detection procedure that does notrequire physical separation of hybridized probe from non-hybridizedprobe prior to determining the extent of specific probe hybridization.Exemplary homogeneous assays, such as those described herein, can employmolecular beacons or other self-reporting probes which emit fluorescentsignals when hybridized to an appropriate target, chemiluminescentacridinium ester labels which can be selectively destroyed by chemicalmeans unless present in a hybrid duplex, and other homogeneouslydetectable labels that will be familiar to those having an ordinarylevel of skill in the art.

As used herein, “amplification” refers to an in vitro procedure forobtaining multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence, itscomplement or fragments thereof.

By “target nucleic acid” or “target” is meant a nucleic acid containinga target nucleic acid sequence. In general, a target nucleic acidsequence that is to be amplified will be positioned between twooppositely disposed primers, and will include the portion of the targetnucleic acid that is fully complementary to each of the primers.

By “target nucleic acid sequence” or “target sequence” or “targetregion” is meant a specific deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotidesequence comprising all or part of the nucleotide sequence of asingle-stranded nucleic acid molecule, and the deoxyribonucleotide orribonucleotide sequence complementary thereto.

By “transcription associated amplification” is meant any type of nucleicacid amplification that uses an RNA polymerase to produce multiple RNAtranscripts from a nucleic acid template. One example of a transcriptionassociated amplification method, called “Transcription MediatedAmplification” (TMA), generally employs an RNA polymerase, a DNApolymerase, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, ribonucleosidetriphosphates, and a promoter-template complementary oligonucleotide,and optionally may include one or more analogous oligonucleotides.Variations of TMA are well known in the art as disclosed in detail inBurg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,990; Kacian et al., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,399,491 and 5,554,516; Kacian et al., PCT No. WO 93/22461; Gingeras etal., PCT No. WO 88/01302; Gingeras et al., PCT No. WO 88/10315; Malek etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,238; Urdea et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,868,105 and5,124,246; McDonough et al., PCT No. WO 94/03472; and Ryder et al., PCTNo. WO 95/03430. The methods of Kacian et al. are preferred forconducting nucleic acid amplification procedures of the type disclosedherein.

As used herein, an “oligonucleotide” or “oligomer” is a polymeric chainof at least two, generally between about five and about 100, chemicalsubunits, each subunit comprising a nucleotide base moiety, a sugarmoiety, and a linking moiety that joins the subunits in a linear spacialconfiguration. Common nucleotide base moieties are guanine (G), adenine(A), cytosine (C), thymine (T) and uracil (U), although other rare ormodified nucleotide bases able to hydrogen bond are well known to thoseskilled in the art. Oligonucleotides may optionally include analogs ofany of the sugar moieties, the base moieties, and the backboneconstituents. Preferred oligonucleotides of the present invention fallin a size range of about 10 to about 100 residues. Oligonucleotides maybe purified from naturally occurring sources, but preferably aresynthesized using any of a variety of well-known enzymatic or chemicalmethods.

As used herein, a “probe” is an oligonucleotide that hybridizesspecifically to a target sequence in a nucleic acid, preferably in anamplified nucleic acid, under conditions that promote hybridization, toform a detectable hybrid. A probe optionally may contain a detectablemoiety which either may be attached to the end(s) of the probe or may beinternal. The nucleotides of the probe which combine with the targetpolynucleotide need not be strictly contiguous, as may be the case witha detectable moiety internal to the sequence of the probe. Detection mayeither be direct (i.e., resulting from a probe hybridizing directly tothe target sequence or amplified nucleic acid) or indirect (i.e.,resulting from a probe hybridizing to an intermediate molecularstructure that links the probe to the target sequence or amplifiednucleic acid). The “target” of a probe generally refers to a sequencecontained within an amplified nucleic acid sequence which hybridizesspecifically to at least a portion of a probe oligonucleotide usingstandard hydrogen bonding (i.e., base pairing). A probe may comprisetarget-specific sequences and optionally other sequences that arenon-complementary to the target sequence that is to be detected. Thesenon-complementary sequences may comprise a promoter sequence, arestriction endonuclease recognition site, or sequences that contributeto three-dimensional conformation of the probe (e.g., as described inLizardi et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,118,801 and 5,312,728). Sequences thatare “sufficiently complementary” allow stable hybridization of a probeoligonucleotide to a target sequence that is not completelycomplementary to the probe's target-specific sequence.

As used herein, an “amplification primer” is an oligonucleotide thathybridizes to a target nucleic acid, or its complement, and participatesin a nucleic acid amplification reaction. For example, amplificationprimers, or more simply “primers,” may be optionally modifiedoligonucleotides which are capable of hybridizing to a template nucleicacid and which have a 3′ end that can be extended by a DNA polymeraseactivity. In general, a primer will have a downstream WNV-complementarysequence, and optionally an upstream sequence that is not complementaryto WNV nucleic acids. The optional upstream sequence may, for example,serve as an RNA polymerase promoter or contain restriction endonucleasecleavage sites.

By “substantially homologous,” “substantially corresponding” or“substantially corresponds” is meant that the subject oligonucleotidehas a base sequence containing an at least 10 contiguous base regionthat is at least 70% homologous, preferably at least 80% homologous,more preferably at least 90% homologous, and most preferably 100%homologous to an at least 10 contiguous base region present in areference base sequence (excluding RNA and DNA equivalents). Thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate modifications that could bemade to the hybridization assay conditions at various percentages ofhomology to permit hybridization of the oligonucleotide to the targetsequence while preventing unacceptable levels of non-specifichybridization. The degree of similarity is determined by comparing theorder of nucleobases making up the two sequences and does not take intoconsideration other structural differences which may exist between thetwo sequences, provided the structural differences do not preventhydrogen bonding with complementary bases. The degree of homologybetween two sequences can also be expressed in terms of the number ofbase mismatches present in each set of at least 10 contiguous basesbeing compared, which may range from 0-2 base differences.

By “substantially complementary” is meant that the subjectoligonucleotide has a base sequence containing an at least 10 contiguousbase region that is at least 70% complementary, preferably at least 80%complementary, more preferably at least 90% complementary, and mostpreferably 100% complementary to an at least 10 contiguous base regionpresent in a target nucleic acid sequence (excluding RNA and DNAequivalents). (Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatemodifications that could be made to the hybridization assay conditionsat various percentages of complementarity to permit hybridization of theoligonucleotide to the target sequence while preventing unacceptablelevels of non-specific hybridization.) The degree of complementarity isdetermined by comparing the order of nucleobases making up the twosequences and does not take into consideration other structuraldifferences which may exist between the two sequences, provided thestructural differences do not prevent hydrogen bonding withcomplementary bases. The degree of complementarity between two sequencescan also be expressed in terms of the number of base mismatches presentin each set of at least 10 contiguous bases being compared, which mayrange from 0-2 base mismatches.

By “sufficiently complementary” is meant a contiguous nucleic acid basesequence that is capable of hybridizing to another base sequence byhydrogen bonding between a series of complementary bases. Complementarybase sequences may be complementary at each position in the basesequence of an oligonucleotide using standard base pairing (e.g., G:C,A:T or A:U pairing) or may contain one or more residues that are notcomplementary using standard hydrogen bonding (including abasic“nucleotides”), but in which the entire complementary base sequence iscapable of specifically hybridizing with another base sequence underappropriate hybridization conditions. Contiguous bases are preferably atleast about 80%, more preferably at least about 90%, and most preferablyabout 100% complementary to a sequence to which an oligonucleotide isintended to specifically hybridize. Appropriate hybridization conditionsare well known to those skilled in the art, can be predicted readilybased on base sequence composition, or can be determined empirically byusing routine testing (e.g., See Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, ALaboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, ColdSpring Harbor, N.Y., 1989) at §§1.90-1.91, 7.37-7.57, 9.47-9.51 and11.47-11.57 particularly at §§9.50-9.51, 11.12-11.13, 11.45-11.47 and11.55-11.57).

By “capture oligonucleotide” is meant at least one nucleic acidoligonucleotide that provides means for specifically joining a targetsequence and an immobilized oligonucleotide due to base pairhybridization. A capture oligonucleotide preferably includes two bindingregions: a target sequence-binding region and an immobilizedprobe-binding region, usually contiguous on the same oligonucleotide,although the capture oligonucleotide may include a targetsequence-binding region and an immobilized probe-binding region whichare present on two different oligonucleotides joined together by one ormore linkers. For example, an immobilized probe-binding region may bepresent on a first oligonucleotide, the target sequence-binding regionmay be present on a second oligonucleotide, and the two differentoligonucleotides are joined by hydrogen bonding with a linker that is athird oligonucleotide containing sequences that hybridize specificallyto the sequences of the first and second oligonucleotides.

By “immobilized probe” or “immobilized nucleic acid” is meant a nucleicacid that joins, directly or indirectly, a capture oligonucleotide to animmobilized support. An immobilized probe is an oligonucleotide joinedto a solid support that facilitates separation of bound target sequencefrom unbound material in a sample.

By “separating” or “purifying” is meant that one or more components ofthe biological sample are removed from one or more other components ofthe sample. Sample components include nucleic acids in a generallyaqueous solution phase which may also include materials such asproteins, carbohydrates, lipids and labeled probes. Preferably, theseparating or purifying step removes at least about 70%, more preferablyat least about 90% and, even more preferably, at least about 95% of theother components present in the sample.

By “RNA and DNA equivalents” or “RNA and DNA equivalent bases” is meantmolecules, such as RNA and DNA, having the same complementary base pairhybridization properties. RNA and DNA equivalents have different sugarmoieties (i.e., ribose versus deoxyribose) and may differ by thepresence of uracil in RNA and thymine in DNA. The differences betweenRNA and DNA equivalents do not contribute to differences in homologybecause the equivalents have the same degree of complementarity to aparticular sequence.

By “consisting essentially of” is meant that additional component(s),composition(s) or method step(s) that do not materially change the basicand novel characteristics of the present invention may be included inthe compositions or kits or methods of the present invention. Suchcharacteristics include the ability to selectively detect WNV nucleicacids in biological samples such as whole blood or plasma. Anycomponent(s), composition(s), or method step(s) that have a materialeffect on the basic and novel characteristics of the present inventionwould fall outside of this term.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the various polynucleotidesthat can be used for detecting a target region within the WNV nucleicacid (represented by a thick horizontal line). Positions of thefollowing nucleic acids are shown relative to the target region:“Capture Oligonucleotide” refers to the nucleic acid used to hybridizeto and capture the target nucleic acid prior to amplification, where “T”refers to a tail sequence used to hybridize an immobilizedoligonucleotide having a complementary sequence (not shown); “Non-T7Primer” and “T7 Promoter-Primer” represent two amplification primersused for conducting TMA, where “P” indicates the promoter sequence ofthe T7 promoter-primer; and “Probe” refers to the probe used fordetecting amplified nucleic acid.

FIG. 2 shows a series of line graphs representing specific probehybridization signals, measured in relative light units (y-axis) versusincreasing levels of input target (x-axis). The target oligonucleotidesused in the procedure had the sequences of SEQ ID NO:148 (), SEQ IDNO:150 (♦), SEQ ID NO:151 (▪), and SEQ ID NO:152 (Δ).

FIG. 3 is a line graph relating the amount of WNV standard input into areal-time nucleic acid amplification reaction (x-axis) and thetime-of-emergence of the measured fluorescent signal above a backgroundthreshold (y-axis).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are compositions, methods and kits for selectivelydetecting the nucleic acids of flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus(WNV), in biological samples such as blood, serum, plasma or other bodyfluid or tissue. The probes, primers and methods of the invention can beused either in diagnostic applications or for screening donated bloodand blood products or other tissues that may contain infectiousparticles.

Introduction and Overview

The present invention includes compositions (nucleic acid captureoligonucleotides, amplification oligonucleotides and probes), methodsand kits that are particularly useful for detecting WNV nucleic acids ina biological sample. To design oligonucleotide sequences appropriate forsuch uses, known WNV nucleic acid sequences were first compared toidentify candidate regions of the viral genome that could serve asreagents in a diagnostic assay. As a result of these comparisons, threedifferent regions of the WNV genome were selected as targets fordetection using the capture oligonucleotides, primers and probes shownschematically in FIG. 1. Portions of sequences containing relatively fewvariants between the compared sequences were chosen as starting pointsfor designing synthetic oligonucleotides suitable for use in capture,amplification and detection of amplified sequences.

Based on these analyses, the capture oligonucleotide, amplificationprimer and probe sequences presented below were designed. Those havingan ordinary level of skill in the art will appreciate that any primersequences specific for WNV or other flavivirus target, with or without aT7 promoter sequence, may be used as primers in the various primer-basedin vitro amplification methods described below. It is also contemplatedthat oligonucleotides having the sequences disclosed herein could servealternative functions in assays for detecting WNV nucleic acids. Forexample, the capture oligonucleotides disclosed herein could serve ashybridization probes, the hybridization probes disclosed herein could beused as amplification primers, and the amplification primers disclosedherein could be used as hybridization probes in alternative detectionassays.

The amplification primers disclosed herein are particularly contemplatedas components of multiplex amplification reactions wherein severalamplicon species can be produced from an assortment of target-specificprimers. For example, it is contemplated that certain preferredWNV-specific primers disclosed herein can be used in multiplexamplification reactions that are capable of amplifying polynucleotidesof unrelated viruses without substantially compromising thesensitivities of those assays. Particular examples of these unrelatedviruses include HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV and HBV.

Useful Amplification Methods

Amplification methods useful in connection with the present inventioninclude: Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA), Nucleic AcidSequence-Based Amplification (NASBA), the Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR), Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA), and amplificationmethods using self-replicating polynucleotide molecules and replicationenzymes such as MDV-1 RNA and Q-beta enzyme. Methods for carrying outthese various amplification techniques respectively can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 5,399,491, published European patent application EP 0 525 882,U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,188, U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,166, U.S. Pat. No.5,472,840 and Lizardi et al., BioTechnology 6:1197 (1988). Thedisclosures of these documents which describe how to perform nucleicacid amplification reactions are hereby incorporated by reference.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, WNV nucleic acidsequences are amplified using a TMA protocol. According to thisprotocol, the reverse transcriptase which provides the DNA polymeraseactivity also possesses an endogenous RNase H activity. One of theprimers used in this procedure contains a promoter sequence positionedupstream of a sequence that is complementary to one strand of a targetnucleic acid that is to be amplified. In the first step of theamplification, a promoter-primer hybridizes to the WNV target RNA at adefined site. Reverse transcriptase creates a complementary DNA copy ofthe target RNA by extension from the 3′ end of the promoter-primer.Following interaction of an opposite strand primer with the newlysynthesized DNA strand, a second strand of DNA is synthesized from theend of the primer by reverse transcriptase, thereby creating adouble-stranded DNA molecule. RNA polymerase recognizes the promotersequence in this double-stranded DNA template and initiatestranscription. Each of the newly synthesized RNA amplicons re-enters theTMA process and serves as a template for a new round of replication,thereby leading to an exponential expansion of the RNA amplicon. Sinceeach of the DNA templates can make 100-1000 copies of RNA amplicon, thisexpansion can result in the production of 10 billion amplicons in lessthan one hour. The entire process is autocatalytic and is performed at aconstant temperature.

Structural Features of Primers

As indicated above, a “primer” refers to an optionally modifiedoligonucleotide which is capable of participating in a nucleic acidamplification reaction. Preferred primers are capable of hybridizing toa template nucleic acid and which has a 3′ end that can be extended by aDNA polymerase activity. The 5′ region of the primer may benon-complementary to the target nucleic acid. If the 5′non-complementary region includes a promoter sequence, it is referred toas a “promoter-primer.” Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatany oligonucleotide that can function as a primer (i.e., anoligonucleotide that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence andhas a 3′ end capable of extension by a DNA polymerase activity) can bemodified to include a 5′ promoter sequence, and thus could function as apromoter-primer. Similarly, any promoter-primer can be modified byremoval of, or synthesis without, a promoter sequence and still functionas a primer.

Nucleotide base moieties of primers may be modified (e.g., by theaddition of propyne groups), as long as the modified base moiety retainsthe ability to form a non-covalent association with G, A, C, T or U, andas long as an oligonucleotide comprising at least one modifiednucleotide base moiety or analog is not sterically prevented fromhybridizing with a single-stranded nucleic acid. As indicated below inconnection with the chemical composition of useful probes, thenitrogenous bases of primers in accordance with the invention may beconventional bases (A, G, C, T, U), known analogs thereof (e.g., inosineor “I” having hypoxanthine as its base moiety; see The Biochemistry ofthe Nucleic Acids 5-36, Adams et al., ed., 11th ed., 1992), knownderivatives of purine or pyrimidine bases (e.g., N⁴-methyldeoxygaunosine, deaza- or aza-purines and deaza- or aza-pyrimidines,pyrimidine bases having substituent groups at the 5 or 6 position,purine bases having an altered or a replacement substituent at the 2, 6or 8 positions, 2-amino-6-methylaminopurine, O⁶-methylguanine,4-thio-pyrimidines, 4-amino-pyrimidines,4-dimethylhydrazine-pyrimidines, and O⁴-alkyl-pyrimidines (see, Cook,PCT Int'l Pub. No. WO 93/13121) and “abasic” residues where the backboneincludes no nitrogenous base for one or more residues of the polymer(see Arnold et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,481). Common sugar moieties thatcomprise the primer backbone include ribose and deoxyribose, although2′-O-methyl ribose (OMe), halogenated sugars, and other modified sugarmoieties may also be used. Usually, the linking group of the primerbackbone is a phosphorus-containing moiety, most commonly aphosphodiester linkage, although other linkages, such as, for example,phosphorothioates, methylphosphonates, and non-phosphorus-containinglinkages such as peptide-like linkages found in “peptide nucleic acids”(PNA) also are intended for use in the assay disclosed herein.

Useful Probe Labeling Systems and Detectable Moieties

Essentially any labeling and detection system that can be used formonitoring specific nucleic acid hybridization can be used inconjunction with the present invention. Included among the collection ofuseful labels are radiolabels, enzymes, haptens, linkedoligonucleotides, chemiluminescent molecules, fluorescent moieties(either alone or in combination with “quencher” moieties), andredox-active moieties that are amenable to electronic detection methods.Preferred chemiluminescent molecules include acridinium esters of thetype disclosed by Arnold et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,174 for use inconnection with homogenous protection assays, and of the type disclosedby Woodhead et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,207 for use in connectionwith assays that quantify multiple targets in a single reaction. Thedisclosures contained in these patent documents are hereby incorporatedby reference. Preferred electronic labeling and detection approaches aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,578 and 5,770,369, and the publishedinternational patent application WO 98/57158, the disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated by reference. Redox active moieties useful aslabels in the present invention include transition metals such as Cd,Mg, Cu, Co, Pd, Zn, Fe and Ru.

Particularly preferred detectable labels for probes in accordance withthe present invention are detectable in homogeneous assay systems (i.e.,where, in a mixture, bound labeled probe exhibits a detectable change,such as stability or differential degradation, compared to unboundlabeled probe). While other homogeneously detectable labels, such asfluorescent labels and electronically detectable labels, are intendedfor use in the practice of the present invention, a preferred label foruse in homogenous assays is a chemiluminescent compound (e.g., asdescribed by Woodhead et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,207; by Nelson etal., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,737; or by Arnold et al., in U.S. Pat. No.5,639,604). Particularly preferred chemiluminescent labels includeacridinium ester (“AE”) compounds, such as standard AE or derivativesthereof, such as naphthyl-AE, ortho-AE, 1- or 3-methyl-AE,2,7-dimethyl-AE, 4,5-dimethyl-AE, ortho-dibromo-AE, ortho-dimethyl-AE,meta-dimethyl-AE, ortho-methoxy-AE, ortho-methoxy(cinnamyl)-AE,ortho-methyl-AE, ortho-fluoro-AE, 1- or 3-methyl-ortho-fluoro-AE, 1- or3-methyl-meta-difluoro-AE, and 2-methyl-AE.

In some applications, probes exhibiting at least some degree ofself-complementarity are desirable to facilitate detection ofprobe:target duplexes in a test sample without first requiring theremoval of unhybridized probe prior to detection. By way of example,structures referred to as “Molecular Torches” are designed to includedistinct regions of self-complementarity (coined “the target bindingdomain” and “the target closing domain”) which are connected by ajoining region and which hybridize to one another under predeterminedhybridization assay conditions. When exposed to denaturing conditions,the two complementary regions (which may be fully or partiallycomplementary) of the Molecular Torch melt, leaving the target bindingdomain available for hybridization to a target sequence when thepredetermined hybridization assay conditions are restored. MolecularTorches are designed so that the target binding domain favorshybridization to the target sequence over the target closing domain. Thetarget binding domain and the target closing domain of a Molecular Torchinclude interacting labels (e.g., fluorescent/quencher) positioned sothat a different signal is produced when the Molecular Torch isself-hybridized as opposed to when the Molecular Torch is hybridized toa target nucleic acid, thereby permitting detection of probe:targetduplexes in a test sample in the presence of unhybridized probe having aviable label associated therewith. Molecular Torches are fully describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,945, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Another example of a self-complementary hybridization assay probe thatmay be used in conjunction with the invention is a structure commonlyreferred to as a “Molecular Beacon.” Molecular Beacons comprise nucleicacid molecules having a target complementary sequence, an affinity pair(or nucleic acid arms) holding the probe in a closed conformation in theabsence of a target nucleic acid sequence, and a label pair thatinteracts when the probe is in a closed conformation. Hybridization ofthe target nucleic acid and the target complementary sequence separatesthe members of the affinity pair, thereby shifting the probe to an openconformation. The shift to the open conformation is detectable due toreduced interaction of the label pair, which may be, for example, afluorophore and a quencher (e.g., DABCYL and EDANS). Molecular Beaconsare fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,517, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference. Molecular beacons useful fordetecting WNV-specific nucleic acid sequences may be created byappending to either end of one of the probe sequences disclosed herein,a first nucleic acid arm comprising a fluorophore and a second nucleicacid arm comprising a quencher moiety. In this configuration, theWNV-specific probe sequence disclosed herein serves as thetarget-complementary “loop” portion of the resulting molecular beacon.

Molecular beacons preferably are labeled with an interactive pair ofdetectable labels. Examples of detectable labels that are preferred asmembers of an interactive pair of labels interact with each other byFRET or non-FRET energy transfer mechanisms. Fluorescence resonanceenergy transfer (FRET) involves the radiationless transmission of energyquanta from the site of absorption to the site of its utilization in themolecule, or system of molecules, by resonance interaction betweenchromophores, over distances considerably greater than interatomicdistances, without conversion to thermal energy, and without the donorand acceptor coming into kinetic collision. The “donor” is the moietythat initially absorbs the energy, and the “acceptor” is the moiety towhich the energy is subsequently transferred. In addition to FRET, thereare at least three other “non-FRET” energy transfer processes by whichexcitation energy can be transferred from a donor to an acceptormolecule.

When two labels are held sufficiently close that energy emitted by onelabel can be received or absorbed by the second label, whether by a FRETor non-FRET mechanism, the two labels are said to be in “energy transferrelationship” with each other. This is the case, for example, when amolecular beacon is maintained in the closed state by formation of astem duplex, and fluorescent emission from a fluorophore attached to onearm of the probe is quenched by a quencher moiety on the opposite arm.

Highly preferred label moieties for the invented molecular beaconsinclude a fluorophore and a second moiety having fluorescence quenchingproperties (i.e., a “quencher”). In this embodiment, the characteristicsignal is likely fluorescence of a particular wavelength, butalternatively could be a visible light signal. When fluorescence isinvolved, changes in emission are preferably due to FRET, or toradiative energy transfer or non-FRET modes. When a molecular beaconhaving a pair of interactive labels in the closed state is stimulated byan appropriate frequency of light, a fluorescent signal is generated ata first level, which may be very low. When this same probe is in theopen state and is stimulated by an appropriate frequency of light, thefluorophore and the quencher moieties are sufficiently separated fromeach other that energy transfer between them is substantially precluded.Under that condition, the quencher moiety is unable to quench thefluorescence from the fluorophore moiety. If the fluorophore isstimulated by light energy of an appropriate wavelength, a fluorescentsignal of a second level, higher than the first level, will begenerated. The difference between the two levels of fluorescence isdetectable and measurable. Using fluorophore and quencher moieties inthis manner, the molecular beacon is only “on” in the “open”conformation and indicates that the probe is bound to the target byemanating an easily detectable signal. The conformational state of theprobe alters the signal generated from the probe by regulating theinteraction between the label moieties.

Examples of donor/acceptor label pairs that may be used in connectionwith the invention, making no attempt to distinguish FRET from non-FRETpairs, include fluorescein/tetramethylrhodamine, IAEDANS/fluororescein,EDANS/DABCYL, coumarin/DABCYL, fluorescein/fluorescein, BODIPY FL/BODIPYFL, fluorescein/DABCYL, lucifer yellow/DABCYL, BODIPY/DABCYL,eosine/DABCYL, erythrosine/DABCYL, tetramethylrhodamine/DABCYL, TexasRed/DABCYL, CY5/BH1, CY5/BH2, CY3/BH1, CY3/BH2 and fluorescein/QSY7 dye.Those having an ordinary level of skill in the art will understand thatwhen donor and acceptor dyes are different, energy transfer can bedetected by the appearance of sensitized fluorescence of the acceptor orby quenching of donor fluorescence. When the donor and acceptor speciesare the same, energy can be detected by the resulting fluorescencedepolarization. Non-fluorescent acceptors such as DABCYL and the QSY 7dyes advantageously eliminate the potential problem of backgroundfluorescence resulting from direct (i.e., non-sensitized) acceptorexcitation. Preferred fluorophore moieties that can be used as onemember of a donor-acceptor pair include fluorescein, ROX, and the CYdyes (such as CY5). Highly preferred quencher moieties that can be usedas another member of a donor-acceptor pair include DABCYL and the BLACKHOLE QUENCHER moieties which are available from Biosearch Technologies,Inc., (Novato, Calif.).

Synthetic techniques and methods of bonding labels to nucleic acids anddetecting labels are well known in the art (e.g., see Sambrook et al.,Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. (Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989), Chapter 10; Nelson etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,737; Woodhead et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,207;Hogan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,842; Arnold et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,283,174; Kourilsky et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,333), and Becker etal., European Patent App. No. 0 747 706.

Chemical Composition of Probes

Probes in accordance with the invention comprise polynucleotides orpolynucleotide analogs and optionally may carry a detectable labelcovalently bonded thereto. Nucleosides or nucleoside analogs of theprobe comprise nitrogenous heterocyclic bases, or base analogs, wherethe nucleosides are linked together, for example by phospohdiester bondsto form a polynucleotide. Accordingly, a probe may comprise conventionalribonucleic acid (RNA) and/or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), but also maycomprise chemical analogs of these molecules. The “backbone” of a probemay be made up of a variety of linkages known in the art, including oneor more sugar-phosphodiester linkages, peptide-nucleic acid bonds(sometimes referred to as “peptide nucleic acids” as described byHyldig-Nielsen et al., PCT Int'l Pub. No. WO 95/32305), phosphorothioatelinkages, methylphosphonate linkages or combinations thereof. Sugarmoieties of the probe may be either ribose or deoxyribose, or similarcompounds having known substitutions, such as, for example, 2′-O-methylribose and 2′ halide substitutions (e.g., 2′-F). The nitrogenous basesmay be conventional bases (A, G, C, T, U), known analogs thereof (e.g.,inosine or “I”; see The Biochemistry of the Nucleic Acids 5-36, Adams etal., ed., 11^(th) ed., 1992), known derivatives of purine or pyrimidinebases (e.g., N⁴-methyl deoxygaunosine, deaza- or aza-purines and deaza-or aza-pyrimidines, pyrimidine bases having substituent groups at the 5or 6 position, purine bases having an altered or a replacementsubstituent at the 2, 6 or 8 positions, 2-amino-6-methylaminopurine,O⁶-methylguanine, 4-thio-pyrimidines, 4-amino-pyrimidines,4-dimethylhydrazine-pyrimidines, and O⁴-alkyl-pyrimidines (see, Cook,PCT Int'l Pub. No. WO 93/13121) and “abasic” residues where the backboneincludes no nitrogenous base for one or more residues of the polymer(see Arnold et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,481). A probe may comprise onlyconventional sugars, bases and linkages found in RNA and DNA, or mayinclude both conventional components and substitutions (e.g.,conventional bases linked via a methoxy backbone, or a nucleic acidincluding conventional bases and one or more base analogs).

While oligonucleotide probes of different lengths and base compositionmay be used for detecting WNV nucleic acids, preferred probes in thisinvention have lengths of up to 100 nucleotides, and more preferablyhave lengths of up to 60 nucleotides. Preferred length ranges for theinvented oligonucleotides are from 10 to 100 bases in length, or morepreferably between 15 and 50 bases in length, or still more preferablybetween 15 and 30 bases in length. However, the specific probe sequencesdescribed below also may be provided in a nucleic acid cloning vector ortranscript or other longer nucleic acid and still can be used fordetecting WNV nucleic acids.

Selection of Amplification Primers and Detection Probes Specific for WNV

Useful guidelines for designing amplification primers and probes withdesired characteristics are described herein. The optimal sites foramplifying and probing WNV nucleic acids contain two, and preferablythree, conserved regions each greater than about 15 bases in length,within about 200 bases of contiguous sequence. The degree ofamplification observed with a set of primers or promoter-primers dependson several factors, including the ability of the oligonucleotides tohybridize to their complementary sequences and their ability to beextended enzymatically. Because the extent and specificity ofhybridization reactions are affected by a number of factors,manipulation of those factors will determine the exact sensitivity andspecificity of a particular oligonucleotide, whether perfectlycomplementary to its target or not. The effects of varying assayconditions are known to those skilled in the art, and are described byHogan et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,488, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The length of the target nucleic acid sequence and, accordingly, thelength of the primer sequence or probe sequence can be important. Insome cases, there may be several sequences from a particular targetregion, varying in location and length, which will yield primers orprobes having the desired hybridization characteristics. While it ispossible for nucleic acids that are not perfectly complementary tohybridize, the longest stretch of perfectly homologous base sequencewill normally primarily determine hybrid stability.

Amplification primers and probes should be positioned to minimize thestability of the oligonucleotide:nontarget (i.e., nucleic acid withsimilar sequence to target nucleic acid) nucleic acid hybrid. It ispreferred that the amplification primers and detection probes are ableto distinguish between target and non-target sequences. In designingprimers and probes, the differences in these Tm values should be aslarge as possible (e.g., at least 2° C. and preferably 5° C.).

The degree of non-specific extension (primer-dimer or non-targetcopying) can also affect amplification efficiency. For this reason,primers are selected to have low self- or cross-complementarity,particularly at the 3′ ends of the sequence. Long homopolymer tracts andhigh GC content are avoided to reduce spurious primer extension.Commercially available computer software can aid in this aspect of thedesign. Available computer programs include MacDNASIS™ 2.0 (HitachiSoftware Engineering American Ltd.) and OLIGO ver. 6.6 (MolecularBiology Insights; Cascade, Colo.).

Those having an ordinary level of skill in the art will appreciate thathybridization involves the association of two single strands ofcomplementary nucleic acid to form a hydrogen bonded double strand. Itis implicit that if one of the two strands is wholly or partiallyinvolved in a hybrid, then that strand will be less able to participatein formation of a new hybrid. By designing primers and probes so thatsubstantial portions of the sequences of interest are single stranded,the rate and extent of hybridization may be greatly increased. If thetarget is an integrated genomic sequence, then it will naturally occurin a double stranded form (as is the case with the product of thepolymerase chain reaction). These double-stranded targets are naturallyinhibitory to hybridization with a probe and require denaturation priorto the hybridization step.

The rate at which a polynucleotide hybridizes to its target is a measureof the thermal stability of the target secondary structure in the targetbinding region. The standard measurement of hybridization rate is theC₀t_(1/2) which is measured as moles of nucleotide per liter multipliedby seconds. Thus, it is the concentration of probe multiplied by thetime at which 50% of maximal hybridization occurs at that concentration.This value is determined by hybridizing various amounts ofpolynucleotide to a constant amount of target for a fixed time. TheC₀t_(1/2) is found graphically by standard procedures familiar to thosehaving an ordinary level of skill in the art.

Preferred Amplification Primers

Primers useful for conducting amplification reactions can have differentlengths to accommodate the presence of extraneous sequences that do notparticipate in target binding, and that may not substantially affectamplification or detection procedures. For example, promoter-primersuseful for performing amplification reactions in accordance with theinvention have at least a minimal sequence that hybridizes to the WNVtarget nucleic acid, and a promoter sequence positioned upstream of thatminimal sequence. However, insertion of sequences between the targetbinding sequence and the promoter sequence could change the length ofthe primer without compromising its utility in the amplificationreaction. Additionally, the lengths of the amplification primers anddetection probes are matters of choice as long as the sequences of theseoligonucleotides conform to the minimal essential requirements forhybridizing the desired complementary sequence.

Tables 1 and 2 present specific examples of oligonucleotide sequencesthat were used as primers for amplifying WNV nucleic acids in the 5′non-coding region. Table 1 presents the sequences of primers that werecomplementary to WNV sequences on one strand of nucleic acid. All of theillustrative primers presented in Table 1 have target-complementarysequences contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Differentsubsets of preferred primers have target-complementary sequencescontained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3. It ispreferred for one of the primers used in the amplification procedure tohave a target-complementary sequence falling within one of thesedomains. Table 2 presents the sequences of both the WNVtarget-complementary primers and the full sequences for promoter-primersthat were used during development of the invention. All of theillustrative primers presented in Table 2 have target-complementarysequences contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, a feature whichis presently preferred for one of the primers used in the amplificationprocedure. Notably, the oligonucleotide sequences in Table 1 and Table 2are complementary to opposite strands of the WNV nucleic acid.

Primers useful for amplifying the 5′ non-coding region of WNV caninclude nucleotide analogs. For example, the primers of SEQ ID NO:4 andSEQ ID NO:5 differ from each other by the substitution of a hypoxanthinebase analog for an adenine base at position 11. Similarly, the primersof SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7 also differ by the presence of this baseanalog, as do the opposite strand primers identified by SEQ ID NO:21 andSEQ ID NO:22. This illustrates how nucleobases in the primers may besubstituted by modified bases or nucleobase analogs.

TABLE 1 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers Sequence SEQID NO: CAATTAACACAGTGCGAGCTGTTT SEQ ID NO: 4 CAATTAACACIGTGCGAGCTGTTTSEQ ID NO: 5 TAACACAGTGCGAGCTGTTTCTT SEQ ID NO: 6TAACACIGTGCGAGCTGTTTCTT SEQ ID NO: 7 CGAGCTGTTTCTTAGCACGA SEQ ID NO: 8CGAGCTGTTTCTTAGCACGAA SEQ ID NO: 9 GAAGATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACC SEQ ID NO:10 AAGATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACC SEQ ID NO: 11 AGATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACC SEQ IDNO: 12 GATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACCA SEQ ID NO: 13 GATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACC SEQ IDNO: 14 ATCTCGATGTCTAAGAAACCAG SEQ ID NO: 15

Table 2 presents WNV target-complementary oligonucleotide sequences andthe corresponding promoter-primer sequences that were used foramplifying WNV nucleic acid sequences in the 5′ non-coding region of theviral genome. As indicated above, all promoter-primers includedsequences complementary to a WNV target sequence at their 3′ ends, and aT7 promoter sequence at their 5′ ends. Primers identified by SEQ IDNos:29-40 in Table 2 are promoter-primers corresponding to theWNV-complementary primers identified as SEQ ID Nos:17-28, respectively.

TABLE 2 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers Sequence SEQID NO: GTTTTAGCATATTGACAGCCC SEQ ID NO: 17 GTTTTAGCATATTGACAGCC SEQ IDNO: 18 TTCCGCGTTTTAGCATATTGA SEQ ID NO: 19 ATTCCGCGTTTTAGCATATTG SEQ IDNO: 20 ATCAAGGACAACACGCGGGGCAT SEQ ID NO: 21 ATCAAGGACAAIACGCGGGGCAT SEQID NO: 22 CCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAAGGACAA SEQ ID NO: 23AGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAAGGA SEQ ID NO: 24 TAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAAGG SEQ IDNO: 25 ATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAAG SEQ ID NO: 26 TAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAA SEQID NO: 27 ACATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCA SEQ ID NO: 28AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGTTTTAGCATATTGACAGCCC SEQ ID NO: 29AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGTTTTAGCATATTGACAGCC SEQ ID NO: 30AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATTCCGCGTTTTAGCATATTGA SEQ ID NO: 31AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAATTCCGCGTTTTAGCATATTG SEQ ID NO: 32AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAATCAAGGACAACACGCGGGGC SEQ ID NO: 33AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAATCAAGGACAAIACGCGGGGC SEQ ID NO: 34AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGACCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAAGGA SEQ ID NO: 35AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCAA SEQ ID NO: 36AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCA SEQ ID NO: 37AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATC SEQ ID NO: 38AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAATCA SEQ ID NO: 39AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAACATAGCCCTCTTCAGTCCAA SEQ ID NO: 40

Preferred sets of primers for amplifying WNV sequences in the5′non-coding region include a first primer that hybridizes a WNV targetsequence (such as one of the primers listed in Table 2) and a secondprimer that is complementary to the sequence of an extension product ofthe first primer (such as one of the primer sequences listed in Table1). In a highly preferred embodiment, the first primer is apromoter-primer that includes a T7 promoter sequence at its 5′ end.

Tables 3 and 4 present specific examples of oligonucleotide sequencesthat were used as primers for amplifying WNV nucleic acids in the 3000region of the viral genome. Table 3 presents the sequences of primersthat were complementary to WNV sequences on one strand of nucleic acid.All of the illustrative primers presented in Table 3 havetarget-complementary sequences contained within the sequence of SEQ IDNO:41, a feature which is presently preferred for one of the primersused in the amplification procedure. Table 4 presents the sequences ofboth the WNV target-complementary primers and the full sequences forpromoter-primers that were used during development of the invention. Allof the illustrative primers presented in Table 4 havetarget-complementary sequences contained within the sequence of SEQ IDNO:52, a feature which is presently preferred for one of the primersused in the amplification procedure. Notably, the oligonucleotidesequences in Table 3 and Table 4 are complementary to opposite strandsof the WNV nucleic acid.

Primers useful for amplifying the 3000 region of WNV can includenucleotide analogs. For example, the primers of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ IDNO:47 and SEQ ID NO:48 differ from each other by the substitution of ahypoxanthine base analog for the existing base at different individualpositions within the primer sequence. Similarly, the primers of SEQ IDNO:43 and SEQ ID NO:49 also differ by the presence of this base analog,as do the primers identified by SEQ ID NO:45 and SEQ ID NO:50 and SEQ IDNO:51. This illustrates that nucleobases in the primers may besubstituted by modified bases or nucleobase analogs.

TABLE 3 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers Sequence SEQID NO: TTGACCCTTTTCAGTTGGGCCTT SEQ ID NO: 42 CTTTTCAGTTGGGCCTTCTGGT SEQID NO: 43 AGTTGGGCCTTCTGGTCGTGTT SEQ ID NO: 44 TGGTCGTGTTCTTGGCCACCCASEQ ID NO: 45 TCGTGTTCTTGGCCACCCAGGA SEQ ID NO: 46TTGAICCTTTTCAGTTGGGCCTT SEQ ID NO: 47 TTGACCCTTTTCAGITGGGCCTT SEQ ID NO:48 CTTTTCAGITGGGCCTTCTGGT SEQ ID NO: 49 TGGTCGTGTTITTGGCCACCCA SEQ IDNO: 50 TGGTCGTGTTCITGGCCACCCA SEQ ID NO: 51

Table 4 presents WNV target-complementary oligonucleotide sequences andthe corresponding promoter-primer sequences that were used foramplifying WNV nucleic acid sequences in the 3000 region of the viralgenome. As indicated above, all promoter-primers included sequencescomplementary to a WNV target sequence at their 3′ ends, and a T7promoter sequence at their 5′ ends.

TABLE 4 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers IdentifierSequence SEQ ID NO: WNV complementary primer CTGGCATGCTGATCTTGGCTGT SEQID NO: 53 WNV complementary primer ATAGCTGGCATGCTGATCTTGGC SEQ ID NO: 54WNV complementary primer ATAGCTGGCATGCTGATCTTGG SEQ ID NO: 55 T7promoter-primer AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGA SEQ ID NO: 56GACTGGCATGCTGATCTTGGCTGT T7 promoter-primer AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGASEQ ID NO: 57 GAATAGCTGGCATGCTGATCTTGGC T7 promoter-primerAATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGA SEQ ID NO: 58 GAATAGCTGGCATGCTGATCTTGG

Preferred sets of primers for amplifying WNV sequences in the 3000region of the viral genome include a first primer that hybridizes a WNVtarget sequence (such as one of the primers listed in Table 4) and asecond primer that is complementary to the sequence of an extensionproduct of the first primer (such as one of the primer sequences listedin Table 3). In a highly preferred embodiment, the first primer is apromoter-primer that includes a T7 promoter sequence at its 5′ end.

Tables 5 and 6 present specific examples of oligonucleotide sequencesthat were used as primers for amplifying WNV nucleic acids in the 3′non-coding region of the viral genome. Table 5 presents the sequences ofprimers that were complementary to WNV sequences on one strand ofnucleic acid. All of the illustrative primers presented in Table 5 havetarget-complementary sequences contained within the sequence of SEQ IDNO:59, a feature which is presently preferred for one of the primersused in the amplification procedure. Table 6 presents the sequences ofboth the WNV target-complementary primers and the full sequences forpromoter-primers that were used during development of the invention. Allof the illustrative primers presented in Table 6 havetarget-complementary sequences contained within the sequence of SEQ IDNO:72. Different subsets of preferred primers have target-complementarysequences contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:73 or SEQ ID NO:74.It is preferred for one of the primers used in the amplificationprocedure to have a target-complementary sequence falling within one ofthese domains. Notably, the oligonucleotide sequences in Table 5 andTable 6 are complementary to opposite strands of the WNV nucleic acid.

Primers useful for amplifying the 3′ non-coding region of WNV caninclude nucleotide analogs. For example, the primers of SEQ ID NO:60 andSEQ ID NO:61 differ from each other by the substitution of ahypoxanthine base analog for a thymine base at position 1. Similarly,the primers of SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:65 also differ by the presenceof this base analog, in this instance substituting for cytosine.Likewise, the WNV-complementary primer sequences of SEQ ID NO:83 and SEQID NO:82, together with the corresponding promoter-primer sequences,also contain hypoxanthine base analog substitutions. This furtherillustrates that nucleobases in the primers may be substituted bymodified bases or nucleobase analogs.

TABLE 5 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers Sequence SEQID NO: TCCGCCACCGGAAGTTGAG SEQ ID NO: 60 ICCGCCACCGGAAGTTGAG SEQ ID NO:61 TCCGCCACCGGAAGTTGAGT SEQ ID NO: 62 TCCGCCACCGGAAGTTGAGTA SEQ ID NO:63 CGCCACCGGAAGTTGAGT SEQ ID NO: 64 IGCCACCGGAAGTTGAGT SEQ ID NO: 65CGCCACCGGAAGTTGAGTA SEQ ID NO: 66 GGAAGTTGAGTAGACGGTGCT SEQ ID NO: 67GGAAGTTGAGTAGACGGTGCTG SEQ ID NO: 68 GAAGTTGAGTAGACGGTGCT SEQ ID NO: 69GAAGTTGAGTAGACGGTGCTG SEQ ID NO: 70 AAGTTGAGTAGACGGTGCTG SEQ ID NO: 71

Table 6 presents WNV target-complementary oligonucleotide sequences andthe corresponding promoter-primer sequences that were used foramplifying WNV nucleic acid sequences in the 3′ non-coding region of theviral genome. As indicated above, all promoter-primers includedsequences complementary to a WNV target sequence at their 3′ ends, and aT7 promoter sequence at their 5′ ends.

TABLE 6 Polynucleotide Sequences of Amplification Primers Sequence SEQID NO: TCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTTAC SEQ ID NO: 75 TCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTTASEQ ID NO: 76 TCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTT SEQ ID NO: 77 CCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGAGSEQ ID NO: 78 ACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGAG SEQ ID NO: 79 ACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGASEQ ID NO: 80 ACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTG SEQ ID NO: 81 GCTACAICAIGTGGGGTCCTSEQ ID NO: 82 GCTACAACAIGTGGGGTCCT SEQ ID NO: 83AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTTAC SEQ ID NO: 84AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTTA SEQ ID NO: 85AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATCCGAGACGGTTCTGAGGGCTT SEQ ID NO: 86AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGACCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGAG SEQ ID NO: 87AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGAG SEQ ID NO: 88AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTGA SEQ ID NO: 89AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAACCCAGTCCTCCTGGGGTTG SEQ ID NO: 90AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGCTACAICAIGTGGGGTCCT SEQ ID NO: 91AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGCTACAACAIGTGGGGTCCT SEQ ID NO: 92

Preferred sets of primers for amplifying WNV sequences in the 3′non-coding region include a first primer that hybridizes a WNV targetsequence (such as one of the primers listed in Table 6) and a secondprimer that is complementary to the sequence of an extension product ofthe first primer (such as one of the primer sequences listed in Table5). In a highly preferred embodiment, the first primer is apromoter-primer that includes a T7 promoter sequence at its 5′ end.Primers identified by SEQ ID Nos:84-92 in Table 6 are promoter-primerscorresponding to the WNV-complementary primers identified as SEQ IDNos:75-83, respectively.

Preferred Detection Probes

Another aspect of the invention relates to oligonucleotides that can beused as hybridization probes for detecting WNV nucleic acids. Methodsfor amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence present in the nucleicacid of WNV can include an optional further step for detectingamplicons. This procedure for detecting WNV nucleic acids includes astep for contacting a test sample with a hybridization assay probe thatpreferentially hybridizes to the target nucleic acid sequence, or thecomplement thereof, under stringent hybridization conditions, therebyforming a probe:target duplex that is stable for detection. Next thereis a step for determining whether the hybrid is present in the testsample as an indication of the presence or absence of WNV nucleic acidsin the test sample. This may involve detecting the probe:target duplex,and preferably involve homogeneous assay systems.

Hybridization assay probes useful for detecting WNV nucleic acidsequences include a sequence of bases substantially complementary to aWNV target nucleic acid sequence. Thus, probes of the inventionhybridize one strand of a WNV target nucleic acid sequence, or thecomplement thereof. These probes may optionally have additional basesoutside of the targeted nucleic acid region which may or may not becomplementary to WNV nucleic acid.

Preferred probes are sufficiently homologous to the target nucleic acidto hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions corresponding toabout 60° C. when the salt concentration is in the range of 0.6-0.9 M.Preferred salts include lithium chloride, but other salts such as sodiumchloride and sodium citrate also can be used in the hybridizationsolution. Example high stringency hybridization conditions arealternatively provided by 0.48 M sodium phosphate buffer, 0.1% sodiumdodecyl sulfate, and 1 mM each of EDTA and EGTA, or by 0.6 M LiCl, 1%lithium lauryl sulfate, 60 mM lithium succinate and 10 mM each of EDTAand EGTA.

Probes in accordance with the invention have sequences complementary to,or corresponding to one of three different domains of the WNV genome. Asreiterated below, these domains were: (1) the 5′ non-codingregion/capsid region, (2) the 3000 region, and (3) the 3′ non-codingregion. Certain probes that are preferred for detecting WNV nucleic acidsequences have a probe sequence, which includes the target-complementarysequence of bases together with any base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected, in the lengthrange of from 10-100 nucleotides. Certain specific probes that arepreferred for detecting WNV nucleic acid sequences havetarget-complementary sequences in the length range of from 12-87, from10-20, from 13-37 or from 17-23 nucleotides. Of course, thesetarget-complementary sequences may be linear sequences, or may becontained in the structure of a molecular beacon or other constructhaving one or more optional nucleic acid sequences that arenon-complementary to the WNV target sequence that is to be detected. Asindicated above, probes may be made of DNA, RNA, a combination DNA andRNA, a nucleic acid analog, or contain one or more modified nucleosides(e.g., a ribonucleoside having a 2′-O-methyl substitution to theribofuranosyl moiety).

Simply stated, preferred probes for detecting target nucleic acids ofinterest in connection with the present invention include sequences thatare contained within one or more of several defined probe domains or thecomplements thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs, up to 10% mismatched bases, and even upto 20% mismatched bases. For example, preferred hybridization assayprobes for detecting flaviviral nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acidsof WNV, in the 5′ non-coding region can include target-complementarysequences of bases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:93, orwithin one of the subdomains defined by SEQ ID NO:94 or SEQ ID NO:95.Preferred hybridization assay probes for detecting flaviviral nucleicacids, such as the nucleic acids of WNV, in the 3000 region includetarget-complementary sequences of bases contained within the sequence ofSEQ ID NO:99. Preferred hybridization assay probes useful for detectingflaviviral nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids of WNV, in the 3′non-coding region include target-complementary sequences of basescontained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:101, or within the subdomainsdefined by SEQ ID NO:102 or SEQ ID NO:103. Optional sequences which arenot complementary to the nucleic acid sequence that is to be detectedmay be linked to the target-complementary sequence of the probe.

Referring particularly to the allowability of base differences which candistinguish useful probe sequences from a defined target region whichcontains the target-complementary complementary sequence of bases ofthat probe, it should be noted that base position 12 of the probe havingthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:114 (occupied by a T) differs from thecorresponding position in the domain sequences defined by SEQ ID NO:101,SEQ ID NO:102 and SEQ ID NO:103 (all of which have a C at thecorresponding position).

Certain preferred probes in accordance with the present inventioninclude a detectable label. In one embodiment this label is anacridinium ester joined to the probe by means of a non-nucleotidelinker. For example, detection probes can be labeled withchemiluminescent acridinium ester compounds that are attached via alinker substantially as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,481; and inU.S. Pat. No. 5,639,604, particularly as described at column 10, line 6to column 11, line 3, and in Example 8. The disclosures contained inthese patent documents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Table 7 presents the base sequences of some of the hybridization probesthat were used for detecting WNV amplicons from each of the three WNVtarget regions. Since alternative probes for detecting WNV nucleic acidsequences can hybridize to the opposite-sense strand of WNV, the presentinvention also includes oligonucleotides that are complementary to thesequences presented in the table.

TABLE 7 Polynucleotide Sequences of WNV Detection Probes Target SequenceSEQ ID NO: 5′ Non- TGTCTAAGAAACCAGGAGGGC SEQ ID NO: 96 Coding RegionGAAACCAGGAGGGCCCGG SEQ ID NO: 97 GCTGTCAATATGCTAAAACG SEQ ID NO: 98 3000Region GGTCCTTCGCAAGAGGTGG SEQ ID NO: 100 3′ Non- GAGTAGACGGTGCTGCCTGCGSEQ ID NO: 104 Coding Region GTAGACGGTGCTGCCTGCG SEQ ID NO: 105TGCGACTCAACCCCAGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 106 TGCGACTCAACCCCAGGA SEQ ID NO: 107CGACTCAACCCCAGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 108 GACTCAACCCCAGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 109GACTCAACCCCAGGAGGA SEQ ID NO: 110 ACTCAACCCCAGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 111CAGGAGGACUGGGUGAACA SEQ ID NO: 112 GAGGACUGGGUGAACAAAG SEQ ID NO: 113GTGAACAAAGCTGCGAAGTG SEQ ID NO: 114 AAGCCGCGAAGTGATCCATG SEQ ID NO: 115GTAAGCCCTCAGAACCGTC SEQ ID NO: 116

As indicated above, any number of different backbone structures can beused as a scaffold for the nucleobase sequences of the inventedhybridization probes. In certain highly preferred embodiments, the probesequence used for detecting WNV amplicons includes a methoxy backbone,or at least one methoxy linkage in the nucleic acid backbone.

Selection and Use of Capture Oligonucleotides

Preferred capture oligonucleotides include a first sequence that iscomplementary to a WNV sequence (i.e., a “WNV target sequence”)covalently attached to a second sequence (i.e., a “tail” sequence) thatserves as a target for immobilization on a solid support. Any backboneto link the base sequence of a capture oligonucleotide may be used. Incertain preferred embodiments the capture oligonucleotide includes atleast one methoxy linkage in the backbone. The tail sequence, which ispreferably at the 3′ end of a capture oligonucleotide, is used tohybridize to a complementary base

sequence to provide a means for capturing the hybridized target WNVnucleic acid in preference to other components in the biological sample.

Although any base sequence that hybridizes to a complementary basesequence may be used in the tail sequence, it is preferred that thehybridizing sequence span a length of about 5-50 nucleotide residues.Particularly preferred tail sequences are substantially homopolymeric,containing about 10 to about 40 nucleotide residues, or more preferablyabout 14 to about 30 residues. A capture oligonucleotide according tothe present invention may include a first sequence that specificallybinds a WNV target polynucleotide, and a second sequence thatspecifically binds an oligo(dT) stretch immobilized to a solid support.

Using the components illustrated in FIG. 1, one assay for detecting WNVsequences in a biological sample includes the steps of capturing thetarget nucleic acid using the capture oligonucleotide, amplifying thecaptured target region using at least two primers, and detecting theamplified nucleic acid by first hybridizing the labeled probe to asequence contained in the amplified nucleic acid and then detecting asignal resulting from the bound labeled probe.

The capturing step preferably uses a capture oligonucleotide where,under hybridizing conditions, one portion of the capture oligonucleotidespecifically hybridizes to a sequence in the target nucleic acid and atail portion serves as one component of a binding pair, such as a ligand(e.g., a biotin-avidin binding pair) that allows the target region to beseparated from other components of the sample. Preferably, the tailportion of the capture oligonucleotide is a sequence that hybridizes toa complementary sequence immobilized to a solid support particle.Preferably, first, the capture oligonucleotide and the target nucleicacid are in solution to take advantage of solution phase hybridizationkinetics. Hybridization produces a capture oligonucleotide:targetnucleic acid complex which can bind an immobilized probe throughhybridization of the tail portion of the capture oligonucleotide with acomplementary immobilized sequence. Thus, a complex comprising a targetnucleic acid, capture oligonucleotide and immobilized probe is formedunder hybridization conditions. Preferably, the immobilized probe is arepetitious sequence, and more preferably a homopolymeric sequence(e.g., poly-A, poly-T, poly-C or poly-G), which is complementary to thetail sequence and attached to a solid support. For example, if the tailportion of the capture oligonucleotide contains a poly-A sequence, thenthe immobilized probe would contain a poly-T sequence, although anycombination of complementary sequences may be used. The captureoligonucleotide may also contain “spacer” residues, which are one ormore bases located between the base sequence that hybridizes to thetarget and the base sequence of the tail that hybridizes to theimmobilized probe. Any solid support may be used for binding the targetnucleic acid:capture oligonucleotide complex. Useful supports may beeither matrices or particles free in solution (e.g., nitrocellulose,nylon, glass, polyacrylate, mixed polymers, polystyrene, silanepolypropylene and, preferably, magnetically attractable particles).Methods of attaching an immobilized probe to the solid support are wellknown. The support is preferably a particle which can be retrieved fromsolution using standard methods (e.g., centrifugation, magneticattraction of magnetic particles, and the like). Preferred supports areparamagnetic monodisperse particles (i.e., uniform in size ±about 5%).

Retrieving the target nucleic acid:capture oligonucleotide:immobilizedprobe complex effectively concentrates the target nucleic acid (relativeto its concentration in the biological sample) and purifies the targetnucleic acid from amplification inhibitors which may be present in thebiological sample. The captured target nucleic acid may be washed one ormore times, further purifying the target, for example, by resuspendingthe particles with the attached target nucleic acid:captureoligonucleotide:immobilized probe complex in a washing solution and thenretrieving the particles with the attached complex from the washingsolution as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the capturingstep takes place by sequentially hybridizing the capture oligonucleotidewith the target nucleic acid and then adjusting the hybridizationconditions to allow hybridization of the tail portion of the captureoligonucleotide with an immobilized complementary sequence (e.g., asdescribed in PCT No. WO 98/50583). After the capturing step and anyoptional washing steps have been completed, the target nucleic acid canthen be amplified. To limit the number of handling steps, the targetnucleic acid optionally can be amplified without releasing it from thecapture oligonucleotide.

Useful capture oligonucleotides may contain mismatches to theabove-indicated sequences, as long as the mismatched sequences hybridizeto the WNV nucleic acid containing the sequence that is to be amplified.Each capture oligonucleotide described herein included one of theWNV-complementary sequences presented in Table 8 linked to a poly-(dA)tail at its 3′ end. All of the capture oligonucleotides also includedthree optional thymidine nucleotides interposed between theWNV-complementary sequence and the poly-(dA) tail. The presence of thesethymidine nucleotides is not believed to be essential for success of thecapture procedure. The three thymidine nucleotides and the poly-(dA)tail were synthesized using DNA precursors, while the WNV-complementaryportions of the oligonucleotides were synthesized using 2′-OMenucleotide analogs.

TABLE 8 WNV-Complementary Portions of Capture Oligonucleotides SequenceSEQ ID NO: AAUCCUCACAAACACUACUAAGU SEQ ID NO: 117AAGAACGCCAAGAGAGCCAACAC SEQ ID NO: 118 CCUCUUUUCUUUUGUUUUGAGCUCCG SEQ IDNO: 119 AATCCTCACAAACACTACTAAGT SEQ ID NO: 120 CCTCCTCTTTTCTTTTGTTTTGSEQ ID NO: 121 CCUCCUCUUUUCUUUUGUUUUGAGC SEQ ID NO: 122CCTCCTCTTTTCTTTTGTTTTGAGC SEQ ID NO: 123 UUCAUCGCUGUUUGUUUGUUCAC SEQ IDNO: 124 TGTGTCTGCACTGTCAGTGACCT SEQ ID NO: 125 UGUGUCUGCACUGUCAGUGACCUSEQ ID NO: 126 GUUUUGUCUUCCAUCCAUUCA SEQ ID NO: 127GUUUUGUCUUCCAUCCAUUCAU SEQ ID NO: 128 UCUCUCUCUUUCCCAUCAUGUUGUA SEQ IDNO: 129 CCUCCUCUUUUCUUUUGUUUUG SEQ ID NO: 130 CCAACUGAUCCAAAGUCCCAAGCSEQ ID NO: 131 ACCCCUCCAACUGAUCCAAAGUCC SEQ ID NO: 132GAACACCCCUCCAACUGAUCCAAA SEQ ID NO: 133 GCAGGUCCACGGUGUCCGCA SEQ ID NO:134 UUCAUCGCUGUUUGUUUGUUCAC SEQ ID NO: 135 CCTCCTCTTTTCTTTTGTTTTG SEQ IDNO: 136 GCAGGTCCACGGTGTCCGCA SEQ ID NO: 137 CUUCCAUCCAUUCAUUCUCCUC SEQID NO: 138 GUUUUGUCUUCCAUCCAUUCAUUC SEQ ID NO: 139GTTTTGTCTTCCATCCATTCAT SEQ ID NO: 140 CTGGGGTTTTGTCTTCCATCCAT SEQ ID NO:141 CUGGGGUUUUGUCUUCCAUCCAU SEQ ID NO: 142

Preferred Methods for Amplifying and Detecting WNV PolynucleotideSequences

Preferred methods of the present invention are described and illustratedby the Examples presented below. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates onesystem that may be used for detecting a target region of the WNV genome(shown by a thick solid horizontal line). This system includes fouroligonucleotides (shown by the shorter solid lines): one captureoligonucleotide that includes a sequence that hybridizes specifically toa WNV sequence in the target region and a tail (“T”) that hybridizes toa complementary sequence immobilized on a solid support to capture thetarget region present in a biological sample; one T7 promoter-primerwhich includes a sequence that hybridizes specifically to a WNV sequencein the target region and a T7 promoter sequence (“P”) which, whendouble-stranded, serves as a functional promoter for T7 RNA polymerase;one non-T7 primer which includes a sequence that hybridizes specificallyto a first strand cDNA made from the target region sequence using the T7promoter-primer; and one labeled probe which includes a sequence thathybridizes specifically to a portion of the target region that isamplified using the two primers.

As indicated above, amplifying the captured target region using the twoprimers can be accomplished by any of a variety of known nucleic acidamplification reactions that will be familiar to those having anordinary level of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, atranscription-associated amplification reaction, such as TMA, isemployed. In such an embodiment, many strands of nucleic acid areproduced from a single copy of target nucleic acid, thus permittingdetection of the target by detecting probes that are bound to theamplified sequences. Preferably, transcription-associated amplificationuses two types of primers (one being referred to as a promoter-primerbecause it contains a promoter sequence, labeled “P” in FIG. 1, for anRNA polymerase) two enzymes (a reverse transcriptase and an RNApolymerase), and substrates (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates,ribonucleoside triphosphates) with appropriate salts and buffers insolution to produce multiple RNA transcripts from a nucleic acidtemplate.

Referring to FIG. 1, during transcription-mediated amplification, thecaptured target nucleic acid is hybridized to a first primer shown as aT7 promoter-primer. Using reverse transcriptase, a complementary DNAstrand is synthesized from the T7 promoter-primer using the target DNAas a template. A second primer, shown as a non-T7 primer, hybridizes tothe newly synthesized DNA strand and is extended by the action of areverse transcriptase to form a DNA duplex, thereby forming adouble-stranded T7 promoter region. T7 RNA polymerase then generatesmultiple RNA transcripts by using this functional T7 promoter. Theautocatalytic mechanism of TMA employs repetitive hybridization andpolymerization steps following a cDNA synthesis step using the RNAtranscripts as templates to produce additional transcripts, therebyamplifying target region-specific nucleic acid sequences.

The detecting step uses at least one detection probe that bindsspecifically to the amplified RNA transcripts or amplicons describedabove. Preferably, the detection probe is labeled with a label that canbe detected using a homogeneous detection system. For example, thelabeled probe can be labeled with an acridinium ester compound fromwhich a chemiluminescent signal may be produced and detected, asdescribed above. Alternatively, the labeled probe may comprise afluorophore or fluorophore and quencher moieties. A molecular beacon isone embodiment of such a labeled probe that may be used in a homogeneousdetection system.

Kits for Detecting WNV Nucleic Acids

The present invention also embraces kits for performing polynucleotideamplification reactions using viral nucleic acid templates. Certainpreferred kits will contain a hybridization assay probe that includes atarget-complementary sequence of bases, and optionally including primersor other ancilary oligonucleotides for amplifying the target that is tobe detected. Other preferred kits will contain a pair of oligonucleotideprimers that may be used for amplifying target nucleic acids in an invitro amplification reaction. Exemplary kits include first and secondamplification oligonucleotides that are complementary to oppositestrands of a WNV nucleic acid sequence that is to be amplified. The kitsmay further contain one or more oligonucleotide detection probes. Stillother kits in accordance with the invention may additionally includecapture oligonucleotides for purifying WNV template nucleic acids awayfrom other species prior to amplification.

The general principles of the present invention may be more fullyappreciated by reference to the following non-limiting Examples.

Example 1 describes procedures that identified some of the hybridizationprobes which subsequently were used in assays for detecting WNV nucleicacids. More particularly, the following procedures identified probesthat were capable of hybridizing to nucleic acids corresponding to oneof three different WNV domains. These domains were: (1) the 5′non-coding region/capsid region (5′ NC/C), (2) the 3000 region (NS1/NS2aregion), and (3) the 3′ non-coding region (3′ NC). Six syntheticoligonucleotides served as targets for binding the probes.

Example 1 Oligonucleotide Probes for Detecting WNV

Synthetic WNV target oligonucleotides having the sequences presented inTable 9 were prepared according to standard laboratory procedures using2′-OMe nucleotide analogs to mimic an RNA structure. Probes forhybridizing these synthetic WNV targets had the sequences given in Table7, and were also prepared using 2′-OMe nucleotide analogs.

TABLE 9 Synthetic Target Sequences Target Target Sequence SEQ ID NO:5′ Non- GCCCUCCUGGUUUCUUAGACAUC SEQ ID NO: 143 CodingUUGCCGGGCCCUCCUGGUUUCUUAG SEQ ID NO: 144 Region ACAUCCGCGUUUUAGCAUAUUSEQ ID NO: 145 GACAGCCC 3000 UCCACCUCUUGCGAAGGACCUCC SEQ ID NO: 146Region 3′ Non- GUCGCAGGCAGCACCGUCUACUCAAC SEQ ID NO: 147 CodingCAGUCCUCCUGGGGUUGAGUCGCA SEQ ID NO: 148 Region GAGACGGUUCUGAGGGCUUACAUSEQ ID NO: 149 CAGUCCCCCUGGGGUUGAGUCGCA SEQ ID NO: 150CAGUCCUCCUGGGGUUGAGCCGCA SEQ ID NO: 151 CAGUCAUCCUGGGGUUGAGUCGCA SEQ IDNO: 152

Hybridization reactions included about 1×10⁶ RLUs of AE-labeled probehaving a specific activity of about 2×10⁸ RLU/pmole, and about 0.5pmoles of synthetic WNV target oligonucleotide. Negative controlreactions omitted the WNV target oligonucleotide. The probes listed inTable 7 were each labeled with an AE moiety joined to theoligonucleotide structure by an internally disposed non-nucleotidelinker according to procedures described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,585,481 and5,639,604, the disclosures of these patents having been incorporated byreference hereinabove. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:96 wasalternatively located between positions 5 and 6, between positions 9 and10, between positions 13 and 14, or between positions 16 and 17. Thelinker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:97 was located between positions 9 and10. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:98 was alternatively locatedbetween positions 6 and 7, between positions 9 and 10, or betweenpositions 11 and 12. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:100 wasalternatively located between positions 6 and 7, between positions 9 and10, between positions 11 and 12, or between positions 13 and 14. Thelinker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:105 was alternatively located betweenpositions 12 and 13, or between positions 13 and 14. The linker on theprobe of SEQ ID NO:106 was located between positions 14 and 15. Thelinker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:107 was alternatively located betweenpositions 6 and 7, or between positions 7 and 8. The linker on the probeof SEQ ID NO:108 was alternatively located between positions 6 and 7, orbetween positions 12 and 13. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:109was alternatively located between positions 5 and 6, or betweenpositions 11 and 12. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:110 waslocated between positions 11 and 12. The linker on the probe of SEQ IDNO:111 was alternatively located between positions 9 and 10, betweenpositions 10 and 11, between positions 12 and 13, or between positions13 and 14. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:112 was alternativelylocated between positions 7 and 8, between positions 8 and 9, betweenpositions 10 and 11, or between positions 11 and 12. The linker on theprobe of SEQ ID NO:113 was alternatively located between positions 7 and8, between positions 8 and 9, or between positions 9 and 10. The linkeron the probe of SEQ ID NO:114 was located between positions 6 and 7. Thelinker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:115 was alternatively located betweenpositions 12 and 13, between positions 13 and 14, or between positions15 and 16. The linker on the probe of SEQ ID NO:116 was alternativelylocated between positions 5 and 6, between positions 10 and 11, orbetween positions 12 and 13. Use of all of these different linkerpositions confirmed the versatility of this labeling technique. Probehybridizations were carried out at 62° C. for 15 minutes in 50 μlvolumes of a succinate-buffered solution that included about 300 mM LiCland about 0.75% (w/v) lithium lauryl sulfate. Hybridization reactionswere followed by addition of 63 μl of 0.15 M sodium tetraborate (pH8.5), and 1% TRITON X-100 (Union Carbide Corporation; Danbury, Conn.).These mixtures were first incubated at 62° C. for 10 minutes toinactivate the chemiluminescent label joined to unhybridized probe, andcooled briefly to 4° C. prior to reading the hybridization signal.Chemiluminescence due to hybridized probe in each sample was assayedusing a LUMISTAR GALAXY luminescence microplate reader (BMGLabtechnologies Inc.; Durham, N.C.) configured for automatic injectionof 1 mM nitric acid and 0.1% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide, followed byinjection of a solution containing 1 N sodium hydroxide. Results for thechemiluminescent reactions were measured in relative light units (RLU).Representative results from this procedure are summarized in Table 10for each of the three different target regions. Numerical values shownin the table indicate the average signal/noise ratio (S/N Avg.)calculated from either one or two trials, where each trial included fourreplicates.

TABLE 10 Probe Hybridization Results Probe Synthetic Target TargetRegion Identifier Identifier S/N Avg.† 5′ Non-Coding SEQ ID NO: 96 SEQID NO: 143 814 Region SEQ ID NO: 144 590 (n = 1) SEQ ID NO: 97 SEQ IDNO: 144 45 SEQ ID NO: 98 SEQ ID NO: 145 504 3000 Region SEQ ID NO: 100SEQ ID NO: 146 1312 3′ Non-Coding SEQ ID NO: 104 SEQ ID NO: 147 426Region SEQ ID NO: 105 SEQ ID NO: 147 720 SEQ ID NO: 106 SEQ ID NO: 148108 SEQ ID NO: 108 99 SEQ ID NO: 109 79 SEQ ID NO: 110 88 SEQ ID NO: 111103 SEQ ID NO: 116 SEQ ID NO: 149 609 †Unless indicated, all valuesrepresent the average of two trials (n = 2) of four replicates each.

The results presented in Table 10 showed that each probe tested in theprocedure gave a strong hybridization signal following interaction withthe WNV target sequence. Numerical values presented in the table are forthe probes of SEQ ID NO:96 and SEQ ID NO:109 having their labels joinedbetween nucleobase positions 5 and 6, for the probes of SEQ ID NO:104and SEQ ID NO:108 having their labels joined between nucleobasepositions 6 and 7, for the probes of SEQ ID NO:97, and SEQ ID NO:100having their labels joined between nucleobase positions 9 and 10, forthe probes of SEQ ID NO:111 and SEQ ID NO:116 having their labels joinedbetween nucleobase positions 10 and 11, for the probes of SEQ ID NO:98and SEQ ID NO:110 having their labels between nucleobase positions 11and 12, for the probe of SEQ ID NO:105 having its label joined betweennucleobase positions 12 and 13, and for the probe of SEQ ID NO:106having its label joined between positions 14 and 15. However, all of theprobes used in the procedure gave S/N values substantially greater than10 when hybridized with at least one of the synthetic targets. Indeed,the positioning of any detectable label joined to any of the probesdescribed herein can be varied and still fall within the scope of theinvention. Each of the probes having one of the alternatively positionedlabels particularly described above represents a preferred embodiment ofthe invented probe.

Although numerical results are not presented in Table 10, additionalprobes also were tested and shown to hybridize synthetic WNV targetnucleic acids with very good results. More specifically, hybridizationof the probes having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:112 with a synthetic WNVtarget having the sequence of CUUUGUUCACCCAGUCCUCCUG (SEQ ID NO:194)gave signal/noise ratios as high as about 1100. Hybridization of theprobes having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:113 with the same synthetictarget sequence gave signal/noise ratios as high as about 1050.Hybridization of the probes having the sequence of 115 with a synthetictarget having the sequence of ACAUGGAUCACUUCGCGGCUUUG (SEQ ID NO:196)gave signal/noise ratios as high as about 1480. A probe having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:107, having its linker located between positions 7and 8, was hybridized to a synthetic WNV target having the sequence ofCCAGUCCUCCUGGGGUUGAGUCGCAGGGCA (SEQ ID NO:193) and gave a signal/noiseratio of about 1000. Accordingly, each of the foregoing probe sequencesrepresents a preferred embodiment of the invention, and falls within atleast one of the extended probe domains defined herein.

Still other hybridization probes were tested by the same procedure andfound to give good results. Again, all probes and targets weresynthesized using 2′-OMe nucleotide analogs. Probes were labeled withchemiluminescent acridinium ester labels joined to the probes bynon-nucleotide linkers, as described above. More particularly, a probehaving the sequence of CCCTGCGACTCAACCCC (SEQ ID NO:189), having itslinker located between positions 11 and 12, was hybridized to asynthetic WNV target having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:193 and gave asignal/noise ratio of about 180. A probe having the sequence ofCCTGCGACTCAACCCC (SEQ ID NO:190), having its linker located betweenpositions 13 and 14, was hybridized to a synthetic WNV target having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:193 and gave a signal/noise ratio of about 160. Aprobe having the sequence of CCTGCGACTCAACCC (SEQ ID NO:191), having itslinker located between positions 11 and 12, was hybridized to asynthetic WNV target having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:193 and gave asignal/noise ratio of about 190. Probes having the sequence ofAGGAGGACTGGGTGAACAA (SEQ ID NO:192), with labels alternatively locatedbetween positions 7 and 8 or positions 8 and 9, were hybridized to asynthetic WNV target having the sequence ofGAUCACUUCGCAGCUUUGUUCACCCAGUCCUCCUGG (SEQ ID NO:195) and gavesignal/noise ratios of about 200. Again, each of the foregoing probesequences represents a preferred embodiment of the invention, and fallswithin at least one of the extended probe domains defined herein.

The allowability of mismatches between a WNV target sequence and asubstantially complementary hybridization probe was illustrated usingone of the above-described probes and a collection of synthetic targetsrepresenting naturally occurring variant sequences. More specifically,samples containing the above-described AE-labeled probe of SEQ ID NO:111were hybridized with synthetic target oligonucleotides containingsubstantially complementary portions of the viral sequences identifiedby GenBank accession numbers AF297856 (SEQ ID NO:150), AF260969 (SEQ IDNO:151) and AF297847 (SEQ ID NO:152). Each target was mismatched to thelabeled hybridization probe at a different position, meaning that theprobe and target were not complementary at the position of the mismatch.The standard target of SEQ ID NO:148 was fully complementary to theprobe, and so was used as a positive control. The ability of the probeto hybridize each of the targets was assessed by the above-describedprocedure as a function of the input level of target.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hybridization probe clearly detected thetargets which were not fully complementary to the probe sequence. Thisstringent test proved that mismatches between the hybridization probeand its target could be tolerated without compromising the ability ofthe probe to detect the target. Indeed, probes of the inventionallowably may contain up to 10%, and even up to 20% base mismatches tothe target without substantially compromising the ability of the probeto detect the target. Stated differently, the target-complementarysequence of bases included in the invented hybridization probesallowably can differ from the extended domain sequence from which it wasderived at up to 10%, or even up to 20% of the base positions. Thus,hybridization probes and primers that are useful for detecting WNV willhave target-complementary sequences of bases having a specified lengthrange, and allowably may contain RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotideanalogs, and up to about 10%, or even up to 20% base differences whencompared with a specified sequence which otherwise contains the probe orprimer sequence. For example, a hybridization probe useful for detectingone of the above-described variant flavivirus sequences can have atarget-complementary sequence of bases consisting of 18 contiguous basescontained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:103 or SEQ ID NO:111 or thecomplements thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10% base differences, or evenup to 20% base differences.

Hybridization assay probes having the sequences presented in Table 7were subsequently used for demonstrating that a range of amplificationprimers and capture oligonucleotides could detect WNV nucleic acids inbiological samples. Probes having these sequences or their complements,allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents and nucleotideanalog substitutions, each represent particularly preferred embodimentsof the invention.

Primers useful in accordance with the invention also exhibit flexibilitywith respect to the presence of base mismatches to an otherwisecomplementary target. This is because the amplification mechanism ofnucleic acid amplification requires only transient primer binding toproduce a first amplicon that will contain an exact match forcomplementary primer binding in a subsequent amplification cycle.Accordingly, and similar to the allowability of base differences ormismatches in hybridization probe sequences, primers that are useful foramplifying the nucleic acid sequences of flaviviruses, such as WNV, willhave a 3′ terminal target-complementary sequence of bases within aspecified length range, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10% base differences, or evenup to 20% base differences when compared with a specified sequence thatotherwise contains the primer sequence.

Preferred primer combinations for amplifying WNV nucleic acids wereidentified in a series of procedures that employed WNV virions as thesource of nucleic acid templates. Promoter-primers and opposite strandprimers were screened in combination using the method described below.Although these procedures were particularly carried out using aTranscription Mediated Amplification (TMA) protocol, the primersdisclosed herein may be used to produce amplicons by alternative invitro nucleic acid amplification methods that will be familiar to thosehaving an ordinary level of skill in the art.

Example 2 describes the methods that identified useful amplificationprimers for the West Nile virus 5′ non-coding region.

Example 2 Identification of Amplification Primers

A viral lysate served as the source of WNV template sequences inamplification reactions that employed paired sets of primers. TMAreactions were carried out essentially as described by Kacian et al., inU.S. Pat. No. 5,399,491, the disclosure of this U.S. patent having beenincorporated by reference hereinabove.

Each promoter-primer included a T7 promoter sequenceAATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGA (SEQ ID NO:153) upstream of aWNV-complementary sequence. Amplification reactions were conducted forvarious primer combinations using either 5 μl or 1.4 μl of a 1:10,000dilution of a viral lysate of the NY99 WNV strain as a source of the WNVtemplate (each reaction contained less than 1 PFU viral equivalents),and 10 pmoles of each primer in 100 μl of reaction buffer. The virallysate was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, NationalCenter for Infectious Disease, Division of Vector-Borne InfectiousDisease, Fort Collins, Colo. Nucleic acids underwent specimen processingand target capture prior to amplification essentially according to theprocedures disclosed in published International Patent Application No.PCT/US2000/18685, except that the template was captured usingWNV-specific oligonucleotides rather than HIV-specific oligonucleotides.Sets of capture oligonucleotides having the sequences of SEQ ID NO:117,SEQ ID NO:118 and SEQ ID NO:119 or the sequences of SEQ ID NO:120, SEQID NO:126 and SEQ ID NO:130 were used in combination, each at a level of2-5 pmoles/reaction for trials conducted using 5 μl of viral lysate asthe source of template nucleic acids. In a slight variation of thisprocedure, capture oligonucleotides having the sequences of SEQ IDNO:120, SEQ ID NO:118 and SEQ ID NO:119 were used in combination, eachat a level of 2-5 pmoles/reaction for trials conducted using 1.4 μl ofviral lysate as the source of template nucleic acids. Target nucleicacids and primers were heated to 60° C. for 10 minutes and then cooledto 42° C. to facilitate primer annealing. Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus(MMLV) reverse transcriptase (5,600 units/reaction) and T7 RNApolymerase (3,500 units/reaction) were then added to the mixtures. Thefinal amplification reactions contained 50 mM Tris HCl (pH 8.2 to 8.5),35 mM KCl, 4 mM GTP, 4 mM ATP, 4 mM UTP, 4 mM CTP, 1 mM dATP, 1 mM dTTP,1 mM dCTP, 1 mM dGTP, 20 mM MgCl₂, 20 mM N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, and 5%(w/v) glycerol. After a one hour incubation at 42° C., the entire 100 μlamplification reaction was subjected to a hybridization assayessentially as described in Example 1 using the probe of SEQ ID NO:98(see Table 10). More particularly, the probe was labeled with acridiniumester to a specific activity of about 2×10⁸ RLU/pmol and then used in anamount equivalent to 2×10⁶ RLU for each hybridization reaction. Trialswere conducted using replicates of 10. To be judged as a positiveresult, either the chemiluminescent signal indicating probehybridization must have exceeded 50,000 RLU in an assay, or thesignal-to-noise ratio (where background noise was measured in a negativeamplification control reaction) must have been at least 10.

Tables 11 and 12 present results from amplification procedures that wererespectively conducted using amounts of WNV templates contained in 5 μland 1.4 μl of viral lysate and different combinations of amplificationprimers. Results in the last columns of the tables show the number ofpositive trials and the number of replicate trials used in theprocedures.

TABLE 11 Amplification of WNV Polynucleotide Sequences Using VariousPrimer Combinations WNV-Complementary Sequence of the Opposite Strand #Positive/ Promoter-Primer Primer # Tested SEQ ID NO: 21 SEQ ID NO: 42/10 † SEQ ID NO: 5 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 6 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 7 8/10 † SEQID NO: 8 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 9 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 13 4/10 † SEQ ID NO: 1410/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 10 3/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 11 1/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 12 0/10 ‡SEQ ID NO: 15 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 22 SEQ ID NO: 4 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 5 0/10‡ SEQ ID NO: 6 1/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 7 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 8 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO:9 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 13 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 14 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 10 0/10 ‡SEQ ID NO: 11 0/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 12 1/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 15 0/10 ‡ SEQ IDNO: 23 SEQ ID NO: 4 1/10 † SEQ ID NO: 5 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 6 0/10 † SEQID NO: 7 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 8 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 9 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 1310/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 14 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 10 10/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 1110/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 12 10/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 15 9/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 27 SEQID NO: 4 2/10 † SEQ ID NO: 5 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 6 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 70/10 † SEQ ID NO: 8 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 9 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 13 10/10 † SEQ ID NO: 14 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 10 10/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 11 10/10 ‡  SEQID NO: 12 10/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 15 10/10 ‡  † Capture oligonucleotidesincluded the target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO: 117, SEQ IDNO: 118 and SEQ ID NO: 119. ‡ Capture oligonucleotides included thetarget-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO: 120, SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQID NO: 130.

The results presented in Table 11 showed that many of the primercombinations gave very high levels of WNV detectability, even attemplate levels lower than 1 PFU of viral equivalents per reaction. Evenprimer combinations that gave low, but measurable levels of WNVdetectability in the results presented herein indicated successfulamplification of WNV templates and established the combination as auseful component of a WNV nucleic acid amplification assay. Importantly,the results from these procedures showed that each of the primerscomplementary to one strand of the WNV nucleic acid could be paired withat least one of the primers complementary to the opposite strand of WNVnucleic acid to result in a highly sensitive amplification-based assay.

TABLE 12 Amplification of WNV Polynucleotide Sequences Using VariousPrimer Combinations WNV-Complementary Sequence of the Opposite Strand #Positive/ Promoter-Primer Primer # Tested SEQ ID NO: 24 SEQ ID NO: 10 9/10 SEQ ID NO: 11 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 12  9/10 SEQ ID NO: 15  9/10 SEQ IDNO: 25 SEQ ID NO: 10 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 11 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 12 10/10 SEQID NO: 15 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 26 SEQ ID NO: 10 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 11 10/10SEQ ID NO: 12 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 15  9/10 SEQ ID NO: 28 SEQ ID NO: 1010/10 SEQ ID NO: 11 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 12 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 15 10/10

The results presented in Table 12 further illustrate how theabove-described capture oligonucleotides, probes and primers could beused in a highly sensitive assay for detecting WNV nucleic acids at verylow levels of input template.

Example 3 describes the methods that identified primers useful foramplifying nucleic acids of the West Nile virus 3000 region.

Example 3 Identification of Amplification Primers

Amplification reactions employing paired sets of primers specific forthe 3000 region of WNV were carried out essentially as described underExample 2, except that promoter-primers having the WNV-complementarysequences presented in Table 4 were used in combination with oppositestrand primers having the sequences presented in Table 3. Amplificationreactions were conducted for the various primer combinations using 5 μlor 1.4 μl of a 1:10,000 dilution of the above-described viral lysate(each reaction contained less than 1 PFU viral equivalents). Nucleicacids underwent specimen processing in accordance with Example 2, usingcombinations of capture oligonucleotides that included thetarget-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID NO:118 and SEQID NO:119 or the target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:120, SEQ IDNO:126, and SEQ ID NO:130. Each capture oligonucleotide was used at alevel of 2-5 pmoles/reaction in the target capture step. Target nucleicacids and primers were heated to 60° C. for 10 minutes and then cooledto 42° C. and amplification reactions conducted as described above. Atthe conclusion of the amplification reactions, the entire reactionvolumes were subjected to a hybridization assay using a probe having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:100 (see Table 10). More particularly, the probewas labeled with acridinium ester to a specific activity of about 2×10⁸RLU/pmol and then used in an amount equivalent to about 1×10⁶ to 1×10⁷RLU for each hybridization reaction. Trials were conducted usingreplicates of 10. To be judged as a positive result, thechemiluminescent signal indicating probe hybridization must haveexceeded 50,000 RLU in an assay.

Table 13 presents results from amplification procedures that wereconducted using different combinations of primers to amplify nucleicacids of the 3000 region of WNV. Results in the last column of the tableshow the number of positive trials and the number of replicate trialsused in the procedure. Unless indicated to the contrary, all reactionswere carried out using 5 μl of WNV lysate as the source of viral nucleicacids.

TABLE 13 Amplification of WNV Polynucleotide Sequences Using VariousPrimer Combinations WNV-Complementary Sequence of the Opposite Strand #Positive/ Promoter-Primer Primer # Tested SEQ ID NO: 53 SEQ ID NO: 4210/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 43 8/10 † SEQ ID NO: 44 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 45 6/10 †SEQ ID NO: 46 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 47 10/10 †  SEQ ID NO: 48 9/10 † SEQ IDNO: 49 10/10 § ‡  SEQ ID NO: 50 10/10 § ‡  SEQ ID NO: 51 10/10 § ‡  SEQID NO: 54 SEQ ID NO: 42 4/10 † SEQ ID NO: 43 1/10 † SEQ ID NO: 44 0/10 †SEQ ID NO: 45 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 46 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 47 10/10 †  SEQ IDNO: 48 8/10 † SEQ ID NO: 49 8/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 50 5/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 512/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 55 SEQ ID NO: 42 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 43 0/10 † SEQ IDNO: 44 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 45 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 46 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 479/10 † SEQ ID NO: 48 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 49 0/10 † SEQ ID NO: 50 9/10 †SEQ ID NO: 51 10/10 †  § WNV template was provided in 1.4 μl of lysate.† Capture oligonucleotides included the target-complementary sequencesof SEQ ID NO: 117, SEQ ID NO: 118 and SEQ ID NO: 119. ‡ Captureoligonucleotides included the target-complementary sequences of SEQ IDNO: 120, SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQ ID NO: 130.

The results presented in Table 13 showed that many of the listed primercombinations were useful for creating highly sensitive assays thatinvolved amplification of WNV nucleic acids. Indeed, it is contemplatedthat any of the listed primers complementary to one strand can be usedin combination with any of the listed primers complementary to theopposite strand for amplifying WNV nucleic acids at some level of inputtemplate.

Example 4 describes the methods that identified primers useful foramplifying nucleic acids of the West Nile virus 3′ non-coding region.

Example 4 Identification of Amplification Primers

Amplification reactions employing paired sets of primers specific forthe 3′ non-coding region of WNV were carried out essentially asdescribed under the preceding Example, except that promoter-primershaving the WNV-complementary sequences presented in Table 6 were used incombination with opposite strand primers having the sequences presentedin Table 5. Amplification reactions were conducted for the variousprimer combinations using either 1.4 μl or 0.14 μl of a 1:10,000dilution of the above-described viral lysate (each reaction containedless than 1 PFU viral equivalents). Nucleic acids underwent specimenprocessing using capture oligonucleotides having thetarget-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:118, SEQ ID NO:119 and SEQID NO:120 in combination, each at a level of 2-5 pmoles/reaction. Targetnucleic acids and primers were heated to 60° C. for 10 minutes and thencooled to 42° C. and amplification reactions conducted as describedabove. At the conclusion of the amplification reactions, the entirereaction volumes were subjected to a hybridization assay using a probehaving the sequence of SEQ ID NO:104 (see Table 10). More particularly,the probe was labeled with acridinium ester to a specific activity ofabout 2×10⁸ RLU/pmol and then used in an amount equivalent to about1×10⁶ to 1×10⁷ RLU for each hybridization reaction. Trials wereconducted using replicates of 10. To be judged as a positive result, thechemiluminescent signal indicating probe hybridization must haveexceeded 50,000 RLU in an assay.

Table 14 presents results from amplification procedures that wereconducted using different combinations of primers. Results in the lastcolumns of the table show the number of positive trials and the numberof replicate trials used in the procedures.

TABLE 14 Amplification of WNV Polynucleotide Sequences Using VariousPrimer Combinations WNV-Complementary Sequence of the Opposite Strand #Positive/ Promoter-Primer Primer # Tested SEQ ID NO: 75 SEQ ID NO: 606/10 † SEQ ID NO: 62 4/10 † SEQ ID NO: 63 3/10 † SEQ ID NO: 64 5/10 †SEQ ID NO: 65 1/10 † SEQ ID NO: 66 2/10 † SEQ ID NO: 76 SEQ ID NO: 605/10 † SEQ ID NO: 62 4/10 † SEQ ID NO: 63 7/10 † SEQ ID NO: 64 10/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 65 2/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 66 10/10 ‡  SEQ ID NO: 77 SEQ ID NO: 604/10 † SEQ ID NO: 62 7/10 † SEQ ID NO: 63 4/10 † SEQ ID NO: 64 10/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 65 1/10 ‡ SEQ ID NO: 66 10/10 ‡  † tested with 0.14 μl of a1:10,000 dilution of WNV lysate ‡ tested with 1.4 μl of a 1:10,000dilution of WNV lysate

The results presented in Table 14 showed that the listed primercombinations were useful for creating highly sensitive assays thatinvolved amplification of WNV nucleic acids. Indeed, it is contemplatedthat any of the listed primers complementary to one strand can be usedin combination with any of the listed primers complementary to theopposite strand for amplifying WNV nucleic acids at some level of inputtemplate.

Notably, in all but a single instance, other promoter-primers that wereused in combination with the opposite strand primers listed in Table 14gave 0 positive/10 tests at the indicated target input level. Moreparticularly, T7 promoter-primers that included WNV-complementarysequences given by the following oligonucleotides did not give goodresults when tested using the conditions given above when tested incombination with each of the opposite strand primers listed in Table 14:SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:80 and SEQ ID NO:81. If allprimers were equivalent, then measurable results would have beenexpected when using these primers, and that was not the case. Primersuseful for conducting amplification procedures with extraordinarysensitivity were contained within the highly preferred domains of SEQ IDNO:73 and SEQ ID NO:74.

To further demonstrate flexibility in the assay design, additionalprocedures were conducted to show how more than one same-sense primercould be used in the amplification reaction without compromising assaysensitivity. Indeed, the ability to employ more than one same-senseprimer in the assay represents one strategy for detecting WNV geneticvariants.

Reactions for amplifying and detecting WNV in the 3′ non-coding regionwere carried out substantially as described above, with the followingminor modifications. Capture oligonucleotides used in the procedureincluded the target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ IDNO:131 and SEQ ID NO:127. A promoter-primer that included thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:76 was present in allamplification reactions. Except as indicated in the table of results,all reactions included a primer having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 incombination with a second primer of the same sense that hybridized tothe same strand of WNV nucleic acid. In one instance the primer havingthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:68 and the promoter-primer of SEQ ID NO:85,which included the target-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, wereused for amplifying WNV nucleic acids in the absence of a third primer.A probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:111 was used in all instancesfor detecting amplicon production. Reactions were carried out inreplicates of 10, and were primed using 0.33 μl of the 1:10,000 dilutionof the above-described viral lysate (approximately 10-20 copies of theviral target per reaction). To be judged as a positive result, thechemiluminescent signal indicating probe hybridization must haveexceeded 50,000 RLU in an assay. Notably, these trials additionallyincluded an HIV-1 internal control template and primers that did notsubstantially affect amplification or detection of the WNV target.

The results presented in Table 15 showed that each of the tested primercombinations facilitated amplification and detection of WNV nucleicacids.

TABLE 15 Amplification of WNV Polynucleotide Sequences UsingCombinations of Same-Sense Primers Opposite Strand Opposite StrandTesting Promoter-Primer Primer No. 1 Primer No. 2 Results SEQ ID NO: 85SEQ ID NO: 64 None  9/10 SEQ ID NO: 67 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 69 10/10 SEQ IDNO: 68 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 70 10/10 SEQ ID NO: 71 10/10 None SEQ ID NO: 6810/10

To illustrate still further the flexibility in the assay design, anotherprocedure was conducted using the same set of capture oligonucleotides,and using multiple primers for generating WNV amplicons, but usingdifferent hybridization probes in the detection step. More specifically,capture oligonucleotides used in the procedure included thetarget-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO:131 and SEQID NO:127. A promoter-primer having the WNV-complementary sequence ofSEQ ID NO:76 was used in combination with opposite strand primers havingthe sequences of SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:68. Amplification reactionswere conducted using 1.4 μl of the above-described viral lysate as atemplate source. Detection reactions were carried out as described aboveusing either of two different probes, one having the sequence of SEQ IDNO:107, and the other having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:114, each ofthese probes having been described above. Results from these proceduresgave 10/10 positives using the probe of SEQ ID NO:107, and 18/18positives using the probe of SEQ ID NO:114. This confirmed the utilityof the hybridization probes and further demonstrated how elements of theamplification and detection procedure could be combined to result insensitive assays. Notably, the probe of SEQ ID NO:114 was found in otherprocedures to give exceptionally reproducible results, even whenbiological samples undergoing testing were prepared by slightlydifferent procedures. As noted above, the probe sequence of SEQ IDNO:114 differs slightly from the corresponding sequence contained in theprobe domains defined by SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:102 and SEQ ID NO:103.

The following Example describes the methods used for testing candidateWNV capture oligonucleotides. In addition to the WNV-specific targetcapture, amplification primer, and probes described in this procedure,the reactions also tested the effect of including captureoligonucleotides specific for HIV-1, HCV and HBV analytes.

Example 5 Detection of WNV Target Sequences Using Different CaptureOligonucleotides

Aliquots of the WNV lysate used in the above-described procedures weredispersed in 400 μl of lysis/capture reagent containing about 4 pmolesof each capture oligonucleotide and about 40 μg of 0.7-1.05μparamagnetic particles (Seradyn, Indianapolis, Ind.) covalently linkedto poly-(dT₁₄). Capture oligonucleotides used in the procedure had thesequences given in Table 8. The lysis/capture reagent further includedan HIV-1 internal amplification control template, HIV-1, HCV andHBV-specific capture oligonucleotides, and a 100 mM HEPES-bufferedsolution containing 294 mM lithium lauryl sulfate, 730 mM lithiumchloride, and 50 mM lithium hydroxide. As stated above, a 5′-TTT-3′spacer sequence was interposed between the WNV-complementary sequenceand the oligo-(dA) tail region for each of the capture oligonucleotidesshown in Table 8. The mixtures were heated to 55-60° C. for about 15-30minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to allow hybridization. Amagnetic field was applied to collect the particle complexes containingthe immobilized capture oligonucleotide and WNV DNA using proceduressuch as those described by Wang in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,650. Theparticles were washed twice with 1 ml of a washing buffer (10 mM HEPES,6.5 mM NaOH, 1 mM EDTA, 0.3% (v/v) ethanol, 0.02% (w/v) methyl-paraben,0.01% (w/v) propyl-paraben, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% (w/v) sodium laurylsulfate). Washed particles were then resuspended in 75 μl of theamplification reagent described under Example 2. This reagent includedsalts, nucleotides, ribonucleotides, WNV-specific primers. Some trialsadditionally included primers capable of amplifying an HIV-1 internalcontrol template. The WNV target nucleic acid was then amplified, andthe amplification products detected using a homogenous protection assay,essentially as described under Example 1 using the hybridization probeof SEQ ID NO:98 (see Table 10). Reactions that gave positive signalswhen hybridized with a probe specific for the internal control amplicon,or with a probe specific for the WNV amplicon, were scored as validreactions. In order for a valid run to be considered positive for thepresence of WNV amplicons, the chemiluminescent signal indicating probehybridization must have exceeded 50,000 RLU in an assay.

Table 16 presents sample results correlating the identity of theWNV-specific capture oligonucleotide(s) and the ability of the system toamplify and detect WNV sequences efficiently. To achieve a positiveresult in the amplification reactions, the WNV capture oligonucleotidemust have been able to act cooperatively with the amplification primersand probe(s) to capture WNV template nucleic acids, amplify the WNVtemplate nucleic acids, and then detect the amplified nucleic acids.

Notably, promoter-primers used in this procedure and listed in Table 16are identified by the complete sequence that included the T7 promoter.It is to be understood however, that the WNV-complementary portions ofthe promoter-primers represent essential sequences for performingamplification reactions by alternative protocols, such as the polymerasechain reaction, with the promoter sequence being optional. Thus, it isto be understood that some of the primers listed in Table 16 possessedoptional promoter sequences, and that the corresponding primers which donot include the optional promoter represent the essentialWNV-complementary sequences. These latter WNV-complementary sequencesare useful in conjunction with opposite strand primers for amplifyingWNV nucleic acids.

TABLE 16 Efficiency of WNV Detection Using Different Combinations ofCapture Oligonucleotides Capture Amplification # Positive/Oligonucleotide(s) Primers # Tested None SEQ ID NO: 35  9/20 SEQ ID NO:118 SEQ ID NO: 14 17/20 SEQ ID NO: 119 16/20 SEQ ID NO: 117 14/20 SEQ IDNO: 118 SEQ ID NO: 119 SEQ ID NO: 117 20/20 SEQ ID NO: 120 20/20 SEQ IDNO: 130 20/20 SEQ ID NO: 121 20/20 SEQ ID NO: 122 19/20 SEQ ID NO: 12320/20

The results presented in Table 16 confirmed that substantially all ofthe capture oligonucleotides that were tested, either alone or incombination, were useful in the WNV detection assay.

Like the NY99 strain that was used in the foregoing Examples, theUgandan strain of West Nile virus is one of more than 100 known strainsof the West Nile virus. Based on sequencing and phylogenetic analysis,the known viruses have been divided into two lineages—Lineage 1 andLineage 2. Epidemiological data indicates that Lineage 2 strains, whichhave been isolated from either asymptomatic or mild febrile human cases,are somewhat less virulent than Lineage 1 strains. Lineage 1 strainshave been associated with epidemics in which there have been humanencephalitis cases and fatalities.

A key advantage of the above-described amplification systems wasdemonstrated using a “proficiency panel” of the West Nile virus Ugandanstrain (an example of a Lineage 2 strain). Those having an ordinarylevel of skill in the art will appreciate that this strain is onlydistantly related at the nucleic acid level to the NY99 strain (anexample of a Lineage 1 strain) that predominates in the United States.Thus, whether an assay can detect both the NY99 and Ugandan strains ofWNV represents a highly stringent test for usefulness in a clinicalsetting.

Example 6 describes the methods used for demonstrating that the Ugandanstrain of West Nile virus was detected by the same assays that detectedthe NY99 strain.

Example 6 Amplification and Detection of the West Nile Virus UgandanStrain

A proficiency panel of samples containing known amounts of the Ugandanstrain of WNV in 800 to 1,000 μl volumes of a human serum derivative wasobtained from Boston Biomedica Inc. (MA). This panel consisted of aplurality of members, each containing either 0, 30, 100, 1,000 or 10,000copies/ml of the WNV Ugandan strain RNA. Target-capture, amplificationand detection procedures were performed essentially as described in thepreceding Examples. In this Example the capture oligonucleotides havingthe target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:120, SEQ ID NO:130 andSEQ ID NO:126 were used in combination with each other. In a preliminaryprocedure one of the panel members containing 10,000 copies/ml of theviral RNA was used to create a series of dilutions that contained either10, 30, 100 or 300 copies of the viral nucleic acid. Amplification anddetection reactions were performed using the oligonucleotide reagentslisted in Table 17. In the present case the label on the probe havingthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:98 was located between positions 11 and 12;the label on the probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:100 was locatedbetween positions 9 and 10; and the label on the probe having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:104 was located between positions 6 and 7. Whenpanel members were used for testing without prior dilution, a 500 μlaliquot was used for a reaction that amplified the 3000 region of thetarget and the remaining volume of the panel member (amounting to lessthan 500 μl) was used in a reaction that amplified the 3′ non-codingregion. Testing was restricted to these two regions because the volumesof undiluted panel members were limiting. Positive results were scoredwhen the signal-to-noise ratio was at least 10.

TABLE 17 Oligonucleotides Used for Amplifying and Detecting the UgandanStrain of WNV Oligonucleotide Target Region Reagent Identifier 5′Non-Coding Region Promoter-Primer SEQ ID NO: 40 Opposite-Strand PrimerSEQ ID NO: 10 Probe SEQ ID NO: 98 3000 Region Promoter-Primer SEQ ID NO:56 Opposite-Strand Primer SEQ ID NO: 47 Probe SEQ ID NO: 100 3′Non-Coding Region Promoter-Primer SEQ ID NO: 85 Opposite-Strand PrimerSEQ ID NO: 64 Probe SEQ ID NO: 104

Table 18 presents numerical results from this procedure. Precision amongthe results for each series of reactions conducted at a single targetlevel was determined by calculating a coefficient of variability (% CV).

TABLE 18 Sensitivity Testing for Three Amplification Systems using theUgandan Strain of WNV 5′ Non-Coding Region 3000 Region 3′ Non-CodingRegion C/ml Avg. RLU % CV % Pos Avg. RLU % CV % Pos Avg. RLU % CV % Pos300 1,780,609 41 100 900,886 1 100 1,587,825 2 100 (N = 5)  (N = 5)  (N= 5)  100 1,991,413 12 100 907,638 2 100 1,514,945 8 100 (N = 10) (N =10) (N = 10) 30 1,392,727 29 100 910,241 2 100 1,171,792 26 100 (N = 10)(N = 10) (N = 10) 10   896,831 56 90 893,069 3 100   636,116 40 100 (N =10) (N = 10) (N = 10) 0    1,445 37 0  1,179 8 0    1,383 8 0 (N = 5) (N = 5)  (N = 5) 

The results presented in Table 18 confirmed that each of the threedifferent target regions in the Ugandan strain of WNV could be amplifiedand detected in highly sensitive manner using the same oligonucleotidereagents that had been used for amplifying and detecting the NY99strain. Each of the different amplification systems detected viralnucleic acids in 100% of the samples down to 30 copies/ml. The systemsfor detecting targets in the 3000 region and 3′ non-coding regiondetected viral nucleic acids in 100% of the samples down to 10copies/ml. Because 0.5 ml samples of the various dilutions were used inthe detection procedures, the number of viral RNA copies/reaction wasone half of the number of viral RNA copies/ml. Positive resultsindicating the viral target was detected when source samples contained10 copies/ml of the viral RNA meant that the assay detected 5 copies ofthe viral RNA. Notably, the reactions that amplified nucleic acids inthe 3000 region and 3′ non-coding region advantageously gave low % CVreadings, thereby indicating high levels of precision in theamplification reactions.

TABLE 19 Proficiency Testing Verifies Sensitive Detection of WNV UgandanStrain Results WNV RNA Stock Results 3′ Non-Coding Panel Member(copies/ml) 3000 Region Region QWN701.01 100 Positive Positive QWN701.020 Negative Negative QWN701.03 10,000 Not Tested Not Tested QWN701.04 30Positive Positive QWN701.05 1,000 Positive Positive QWN701.06 300Positive Positive QWN701.07 100 Positive Positive QWN701.08 0 NegativeNegative QWN701.09 30 Positive Positive QWN701.10 1,000 PositivePositive QWN701.11 100 Positive Positive QWN701.12 10,000 Not Tested NotTested QWN701.13 0 Negative Negative QWN701.14 30 Positive PositiveQWN701.15 300 Positive Positive Negative Control 0 Negative NegativeNegative Control 0 Negative Negative Negative Control 0 NegativeNegative Negative Control 0 Negative Negative Negative Control 0Negative Negative

The results in Table 19 showed that the assays for amplifying anddetecting sequences in the 3000 and 3′ non-coding regions of West Nilevirus detected the Ugandan strain of the viral RNA target down to 15copies/reaction, or lower, without giving any false-positive results.These findings were consistent with the results presented in Table 18.

To illustrate further how the oligonucleotides described herein could becombined to produce highly sensitive assays, different combinations ofcapture oligonucleotides, primers and a probe were used for amplifyingand detecting the West Nile virus Ugandan strain. Procedures similar tothose described above were used, except that capture oligonucleotidesthat included the target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:117, SEQID NO:134 and SEQ ID NO:128 were used, the promoter primer of SEQ IDNO:85 included the target-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:76, theopposite-strand primer had the sequence of SEQ ID NO:64, and theabove-described oligonucleotide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:111 wasused as the probe. Additionally, samples containing 3, 1, 0.3 and 0.1copies/ml of the virus were tested in replicates of 20 to generate datafor accurately quantifying assay sensitivity. Regression analysis usingthe Probit function in SAS® System software (version 8.02) (Cary, N.C.)was used to calculate the 95% and 50% detection levels. Invalidreactions were not re-tested and were not included in the analysis ofanalytical sensitivity.

TABLE 20 Quantitative Sensitivity Testing using the Ugandan Strain ofWNV Analysis 95% Detection Level 50% Detection Level % % in copies/ml incopies/ml C/ml CV Positive (95% Confidence) (95% Confidence) 300 5.9 1009.0 4.5 100 33.9 100 (7.1 to 12.8) (3.5 to 6.1) 30 60.7 100 10 98.4 95 3118 45 1 NA 5 0.3 128 0 0.1 178 0 0 129 0

The results presented in Table 20 again showed that the Ugandan strainof West Nile virus was detected with excellent sensitivity in theamplified assay. More specifically, analysis of the results predicted95% detection, using the nucleic acid amplification assay and end-pointdetection system, down to about 7-13 viral copies/ml, an amountcorresponding to about 4-7 copies/reaction.

To further illustrate the versatility of the above-described analytedetection systems, amplicon production was monitored as a function oftime in “real-time” amplification procedures. Amplicon-specificmolecular beacons that were included in the amplification reactionsprovided a means for continuous monitoring of amplicon synthesis.Fluorescent emissions that increased with time indicated the productionof amplicons that hybridized to the molecular beacon and caused adetectable transition to the “open” conformation of the probe.

Molecular beacons comprise nucleic acid molecules having atarget-complementary sequence, an affinity pair (or nucleic acid “arms”)that interact to form a “stem” structure by complementary base pairingin the absence of a target (i.e., the “closed” conformation), and apaired set of labels that interact when the probe is in the closedconformation. Those having an ordinary level of skill in the art willunderstand that the target-complementary sequence contained within thestructure of a molecular beacon is generally in the form of asingle-stranded “loop” region of the probe. Hybridization of the targetnucleic acid and the target-complementary sequence of the probe causesthe members of the affinity pair to separate, thereby shifting the probeto the open conformation. This shift is detectable by virtue of reducedinteraction between the members of the label pair, which may be, forexample, a fluorophore and a quencher. Molecular beacons are fullydescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,517, the disclosure of this patentdocument being incorporated by reference herein.

Commercially available software was used to analyze time-dependentresults obtained using molecular beacons that were specific foramplicons derived from: (1) the 5′ non-coding region, (2) the 3000region, and (3) the 3′ non-coding region. Results from these analysesindicated a substantially linear relationship between the number oftarget copies included in an amplification reaction and the time atwhich the fluorescent signal exceeded a background threshold (i.e.,“time-of-emergence” above background), as illustrated in FIG. 3. Asconfirmed by the results presented below, these procedures were usefulfor quantifying analyte target amounts over a very broad range. Moreparticularly, when known amounts of analyte polynucleotides are used ascalibration standards, it is possible to determine the amount of analytepresent in a test sample by comparing the measured time-of-emergencewith the standard plot.

The fact that the amplification reaction used in the below-describedprocedures operated at constant temperature and without interruption fora separate detection step, so that amplification and detection tookplace simultaneously, imposed strict requirements on the molecularbeacons. More specifically, success in the procedure required that themolecular beacon bind amplicon without inhibiting subsequent use of theamplicon as a template in the exponential amplification mechanism.Indeed, the finding that an amplification reaction could proceedefficiently in the presence of a molecular beacon indicated thatinteraction of the probe with its target did not irreversibly inhibit orpoison the amplification reaction.

Example 7 describes procedures wherein molecular beacon probes, eachlabeled with an interactive fluorophore/quencher pair, were used formonitoring time-dependent amplicon production in TMA reactions. Althoughthe molecular beacons described in this Example hybridized to only onestrand of the amplified nucleic acid product, complementary probesequences also would be expected to hybridize to the opposite nucleicacid strand, and so fall within the scope of the invention.

Example 7 Real-Time Monitoring of Amplicon Production

Molecular beacons having binding specificity for the different WNVamplicons were synthesized by standard solid-phase phosphite triesterchemistry using 3′ quencher-linked controlled pore glass (CPG) and 5′fluorophore-labeled phosphoramidite on a Perkin-Elmer (Foster City,Calif.) EXPEDITE model 8909 automated synthesizer. Fluorescein was usedas the fluorophore, and DABCYL was used as the quencher for constructionof the molecular beacons. All of the molecular beacons were constructedusing 2′-methoxy nucleotide analogs. The CPG and phosphoramiditereagents were purchased from Glen Research Corporation (Sterling, Va.).Following synthesis, the probes were deprotected and cleaved from thesolid support matrix by treatment with concentrated ammonium hydroxide(30%) for two hours at 60° C. Next, the probes were purified usingpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by HPLC using standardprocedures that will be familiar to those having an ordinary level ofskill in the art.

The nucleic acid targets used in the real-time amplification procedureswere in vitro synthesized RNA transcripts of known concentration. Thethree in vitro synthesized WNV targets (a 5′ non-coding region target, a3000 region target, and a 3′ non-coding region target) containedportions of the WNV genome that included sequences corresponding to, orcomplementary to each of the primers. Molecular beacons were used at alevel of about 0.2 pmoles/μl (4 pmoles/reaction). Reactions foramplifying WNV nucleic acids were conducted using from as low as 1.5×10¹template copies/reaction up to as high as 5×10⁹ templatecopies/reaction.

Tubes containing 15 μl of a buffered solution that included salts andreagents essentially as described under Example 2, a targetpolynucleotide, and a molecular beacon were first overlaid with 15 μl ofinert oil to prevent evaporation. The tubes were then incubated in a dryheat block for 10 minutes at 60° C. to facilitate primer annealing.Primers for amplifying the 5′ non-coding region of the WNV target hadthe target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:28 (which was containedwithin the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:40 promoter-primer) and SEQ IDNO:10. Primers for amplifying the 3000 region of the WNV target had thetarget-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:53 (which was containedwithin the sequence of the promoter-primer of SEQ ID NO:56) and SEQ IDNO:47. Primers for amplifying the 3′ non-coding region of the WNV targethad the target-complementary sequences of SEQ ID NO:76 (which wascontained within the sequence of the promoter-primer of SEQ ID NO:85)and both SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:68. Following the 60° C. incubationstep, tubes were transferred to a 42° C. heat block and then incubatedfor 10 minutes. Five-microliter aliquots of an enzyme reagent thatincluded both MMLV reverse transcriptase and T7 RNA polymerase enzymeswere added to each of the tubes using a repeat pipettor. Tubes werevortexed briefly and then transferred to a ROTORGENE-2000 (CorbettResearch; Sydney, Australia) rotor that had been pre-warmed to 42° C.Amplification reactions were carried out at 42° C., fluorescencereadings were taken every 30 seconds, and the results analyzed inreal-time using standard software that was bundled with theROTORGENE-2000 instrument.

Amplification in the 5′ Non-Complementary Region

Table 21 presents the WNV target-complementary sequences contained inthe loop portions of molecular beacons that were used for monitoringproduction of amplicons corresponding to the 5′ non-coding region.Notably, the ninth position (occupied by an A residue) of thetarget-complementary loop sequence of SEQ ID NO:158 was mismatched tothe amplicon product of the Ugandan strain of West Nile virus. All ofthe WNV-specific molecular beacons used in the procedure hadtarget-complementary sequences that included 13-15 contiguousnucleotides contained within the sequences of SEQ ID NO:93 and SEQ IDNO:95, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents. Thetarget-complementary sequences presented in Table 21 were independentlyincorporated into the loop regions of molecular beacons.

TABLE 21 Target-Complementary Sequences of WNV-Specific MolecularBeacons (5′ Non-Coding Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: GUCAAUAUGCUAAAA SEQID NO: 154 GUCAAUAUGCUAAA SEQ ID NO: 155 UGUCAAUAUGCUAAA SEQ ID NO: 156GAGCCGGGCUGUC SEQ ID NO: 157 AAACGCGGAAUGCCC SEQ ID NO: 158

The complete sequences of molecular beacons that contained theWNV-complementary sequences presented in Table 21 appear in Table 22.With the exception of SEQ ID NO:162, each of the molecular beaconsincluded a 5′ CCGAG arm sequence, and a 3′ CUCGG arm sequence appendedto a WNV target-complementary sequence that appears in Table 21. Themolecular beacon having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:162 included a 5′GGCAC arm sequence and a 3′ GUGCC arm sequence appended to the loopportion of the probe. Notably, the loop portion of the molecular beaconhaving the sequence of SEQ ID NO:161 included a WNV target-complementarysequence and a single C residue appended to the 3′ thereof, which wasnot complementary to the WNV target. In all instances theWNV-complementary sequences were positioned as loop regions within themolecular beacon structures. Thus, the last position (occupied by a Cresidue) of the loop sequence of the molecular beacon having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:161 was mismatched to the amplicon targetsequence, and the ninth position of the loop sequence (occupied by an Aresidue) in the molecular beacon having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:163was mismatched to the amplicon product of the Ugandan strain of WestNile virus. Each of the molecular beacons used in the procedure includeda fluorescein fluorophore at its 5′-end, and a DABCYL quencher moiety atits 3′-end. Sequences corresponding to complementary arm structures arerepresented in Table 22 by underlining.

TABLE 22 Complete Sequences of WNV-Specific Molecular Beacons(5′ Non-Coding Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: CCGAG-GUCAAUAUGCUAAAA-CUCGGSEQ ID NO: 159 CCGAG-GUCAAUAUGCUAAA-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 160CCGAG-UGUCAAUAUGCUAAAC-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 161 GGCAC-GAGCCGGGCUGUC-GUGCCSEQ ID NO: 162 CCGAG-AAACGCGGAAUGCCC-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 163

The results presented in Tables 23-25 confirmed that amplificationreactions which included one of the WNV-specific molecular beaconsdesirably produced a fluorescent signal that increased with time untilreaching a threshold level of detectability. Because different amountsof WNV template were used for testing the various probes in differentprocedures, the results of these procedures are presented in separatetables under which similar target amounts are grouped. All results werebased on reactions that were conducted in duplicate or triplicate. Withthe exception of a single molecular beacon tested in this procedure(data not shown), each of the probes gave at least some level oftime-dependent analyte detection. There was no attempt made to verifythe integrity of the fluorescent labeling or probe synthesis in the caseof the nonfunctional probe, and so the reason this probe did not givegood results was not determined.

Significantly, the different molecular beacons tested in the procedurebehaved somewhat differently in the real-time assay format. For example,reactions that included a molecular beacon having thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:155 gave exceedingly rapiddetection of high target numbers and a strong linear relationshipbetween the fluorescent signal and target amount on a logarithmic plotover the full range of input target levels tested (see FIG. 3).Coefficients of variation (CVs) for the time-of-emergence readingsobtained using this probe (see Table 23) were 3.3% or less, therebyindicating very high levels of precision among the data points.Reactions that included a molecular beacon having thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:158 exhibited somewhat slowerdetection kinetics, but advantageously were capable of distinguishinglow target levels from each other (see Table 24). These characteristicsof the probes were reproduced when side-by-side reactions were conductedusing molecular beacons containing the target-complementary sequences ofSEQ ID NO:155 and SEQ ID NO:158. As indicated in Table 24, 32.2 minutesdistinguished the time-of-emergence for reactions that included 15 and1.5×10⁷ copies of the WNV template, and fully 10.7 minutes distinguishedthe time-of-emergence for reactions that included 15 and 150 copies ofthe WNV template when using the molecular beacon containing theWNV-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:158. It should be apparent thatthe slope of the line relating target copy number and time-of-emergenceusing this probe was particularly advantageous at the low target levelrange. Reactions that included a molecular beacon having thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:157 yielded a substantiallylinear relationship between input target copy number andtime-of-emergence, but exhibited a slope that was somewhat more shallowwhen compared with the probe that included the target-complementarysequence of SEQ ID NO:158. Reactions that included a molecular beaconhaving the target-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:156 were carriedout using levels of WNV target as low as about 4 copies/reaction (seeTable 25), and exhibited a strong, although again somewhat shallowlinear relationship between measured time-of-emergence and the targetcopy number in the range of 4-4.23×10³ on a plot such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 3. Indeed, a difference of nearly 6 minutesdistinguished the time-of-emergence measurements for reactions conductedat these extremes when using a probe comprising the target-complementarysequence of SEQ ID NO:156.

TABLE 23 Measured Time-of-Emergence During Real-Time AmplificationTime-of-Emergence Measured Using Molecular Beacons Containing DifferentWNV Target Target-Complementary Sequences (minutes) copies/rxn SEQ IDNO: 154 SEQ ID NO: 155 5 × 10⁹ 9.0 5.9 5 × 10⁸ 10.9 8.5 5 × 10⁷ 12.210.5 5 × 10⁶ NT 13.0 5 × 10⁵ NT 15.2 5 × 10⁴ NT 17.2 5 × 10³ NT 19.5 5 ×10² NT 22.0 5 × 10¹ NT 25.3 “NT” = not tested “ND” = not detected

TABLE 24 Measured Time-of-Emergence During Real-Time AmplificationTime-of-Emergence Measured Using Molecular Beacons Containing DifferentWNV Target Target-Complementary Sequences (minutes) copies/rxn SEQ IDNO: 157 SEQ ID NO: 158 1.5 × 10⁷ 27.67 28.73 1.5 × 10⁶ 33.43 34.61 1.5 ×10⁵ 38.3 40.54 1.5 × 10⁴ 41.27 45.45 1.5 × 10³ 44.59 47.96 1.5 × 10²46.26 50.3 1.5 × 10¹ 52.34 60.97 “NT” = not tested “ND” = not detected

TABLE 25 Measured Time-of-Emergence During Real-Time AmplificationTime-of-Emergence Measured Using Molecular WNV Target Beacon Containingthe Target-Complementary copies/rxn Sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156 (minutes)4.23 × 10⁴ 37.65 4.23 × 10³ 43.02 4.23 × 10² 45.38  4.2 × 10¹ 46.68   4× 10⁰ 48.9 “NT” = not tested “ND” = not detected

Amplification in the 3000 Region

Table 26 presents the WNV target-complementary sequences contained inthe loop portions of molecular beacons that were used for monitoringproduction of amplicons corresponding to the 3000 region. All of theWNV-specific molecular beacons had target-complementary sequences thatincluded 10-20 contiguous bases contained in SEQ ID NO:99, allowing forthe presence of nucleotide analogs and RNA and DNA equivalents. Thetarget-complementary sequences presented in Table 26 were independentlyincorporated into the loop regions of molecular beacons.

TABLE 26 Target-Complementary Sequences of WNV-Specific MolecularBeacons (3000 Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGG SEQ ID NO:164 GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGU SEQ ID NO: 165 GGUCCUUCGC SEQ ID NO: 166AGGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGU SEQ ID NO: 167 GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUG SEQ ID NO: 168GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUGG SEQ ID NO: 169 AGGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUGG SEQ ID NO: 170

The complete sequences of molecular beacons that contained theWNV-complementary sequences presented in Table 26 appear in Table 27.Each of the molecular beacons included a 5′ CCGAG arm sequence, and a 3′CUCGG arm sequence appended to its WNV target-complementary sequence.Additionally, each of the molecular beacons used in the procedureincluded a fluorescein fluorophore at its 5′-end, and a DABCYL quenchermoiety at its 3′-end. Sequences corresponding to complementary armstructures are represented in Table 27 by underlining.

TABLE 27 Complete Sequences of WNV-Specific Molecular Beacons (3000Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: CCGAG-GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 171CCGAG-GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGU-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 172 CCGAG-GGUCCUUCGC-CUCGG SEQID NO: 173 CCGAG-AGGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGU-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 174CCGAG-GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 175CCGAG-GGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUGG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 176CCGAG-AGGUCCUUCGCAAGAGGUGG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 177

The results presented in Table 28 confirmed that amplification reactionswhich included one of the WNV-specific molecular beacons desirablyproduced a fluorescent signal that increased with time until reaching athreshold level of detectability. Again, the different molecular beaconsbehaved somewhat differently in the real-time assay format. For example,reactions that included a molecular beacon having thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:167 gave extraordinarilyrapid detection kinetics and a strong linear relationship between thefluorescent signal and target amount on a logarithmic plot over the fullrange of input target levels tested. Coefficients of variation (CVs) forthe time-of-emergence readings obtained using this probe were 1.8% orless, thereby indicating very high levels of precision among the datapoints. Reactions that included a molecular beacon having thetarget-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:165 exhibited differentresponse characteristics that were somewhat less linear over the fullrange of target input levels tested. However, it was found thatconventional curve-fitting of the numerical results obtained using thisprobe yielded a curve having an R² value of greater than 0.99 with aslope that was substantially greater at low levels of input target whencompared with high levels of input target. This advantageously permitsmore accurate quantitation of small differences between low target copynumbers.

TABLE 28 Measured Time-of-Emergence During Real-Time AmplificationTime-of-Emergence Measured Using Molecular Beacons Containing DifferentTarget-Complementary Sequences (minutes) WNV Target SEQ ID NOs:copies/rxn 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 5 × 10⁹ NT NT NT NT NT NT NT 5 ×10⁸ 10.9 NT 6.4 NT NT NT NT 5 × 10⁷ NT NT NT NT NT NT NT 5 × 10⁶ NT 7.8NT 3.6 7.4 6.7 7.2 5 × 10⁵ NT 9.3 NT 4.9 8.8 8.1 8.5 5 × 10⁴ NT 11.0 NT6.3 10.7 9.7 10.4 5 × 10³ NT 13.2 NT 7.9 12.2 11.7 12.3 5 × 10² NT 16.7NT 9.6 14.2 13.6 14.0 5 × 10¹ NT ND NT 11.1 17.7 16.3 16.6 “NT” = nottested “ND” = not detected

Amplification in the 3′ Non-Coding Region

Table 29 presents the WNV target-complementary sequences contained inthe loop portions of molecular beacons that were used for monitoringproduction of amplicons corresponding to the 3′ non-coding region. Thetarget-complementary sequences contained within the molecular beaconstested in this procedure included 12-18 contiguous nucleotides containedwithin the sequence of SEQ ID NO:101, more preferably within thesequence of SEQ ID NO:102, or still more preferably within the sequenceof SEQ ID NO:103 or within the sequence of TAGACGGTGCTGCCTGCG (SEQ IDNO:178), allowing for the presence of nucleotide analogs and RNA and DNAequivalents. The target-complementary sequences presented in Table 29were independently incorporated into the loop regions of molecularbeacons.

TABLE 29 Target-Complementary Sequences of WNV-Specific MolecularBeacons (3′ Non-Coding Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: CGGUGCUGCCUGCG SEQ IDNO: 179 UAGACGGUGCUG SEQ ID NO: 180 UAGACGGUGCUGCCUGCG SEQ ID NO: 181UGAACAAAGCCGCGAAGU SEQ ID NO: 182 CUCAACCCCAGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 183

The complete sequences of molecular beacons that contained theWNV-complementary loop sequences presented in Table 29 appear in Table30. Each of the molecular beacons included a 5′ CCGAG arm sequence, anda 3′ CUCGG arm sequence appended to its WNV target-complementarysequence. Additionally, each of the molecular beacons used in theprocedure included a fluorescein fluorophore at its 5′-end, and a DABCYLquencher moiety at its 3′-end.

TABLE 30 Complete Sequences of WNV-Specific Molecular Beacons(3′ Non-Coding Region) Sequence SEQ ID NO: CCGAG-CGGUGCUGCCUGCG-CUCGGSEQ ID NO: 184 CCGAG-UAGACGGUGCUG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 185CCGAG-UAGACGGUGCUGCCUGCG-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 186CCGAG-UGAACAAAGCCGCGAAGU-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 187CCGAG-CUCAACCCCAGGAGGAC-CUCGG SEQ ID NO: 188

The results presented in Table 31 again confirmed that amplificationreactions which included one of the WNV-specific molecular beaconsdesirably produced a fluorescent signal that increased with time untilreaching a threshold level of detectability. Notably, some of theresults presented in Table 31 were obtained in different experiments.Nonetheless, it should be clear that some of the probes, such as the onethat included the target-complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO:182,advantageously detected the WNV target with rapid kinetics, while otherprobes, such as the one that included the target-complementary sequenceof SEQ ID NO:179, exhibited slower detection kinetics. Each species ofprobe will be useful in a different particular application.

TABLE 31 Measured Time-of-Emergence During Real-Time AmplificationTime-of-Emergence Measured Using Molecular Beacons Containing DifferentTarget-Complementary Sequences (minutes) WNV Target SEQ ID NOs:copies/rxn 179 180 181 182 183 5 × 10⁹ 18.7 NT NT 3.1 7.5 5 × 10⁸ 27.815.4 15.4 5.0 14.3 5 × 10⁷ 42.2 NT NT 10.7 ND 5 × 10⁶ ND NT NT ND ND 5 ×10⁵ ND NT NT NT NT 5 × 10⁴ ND NT NT NT NT “NT” = not tested “ND” = notdetected

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybridization assay probe for detecting a WNVnucleic acid, comprising: (a) a probe sequence that comprises atarget-complementary sequence of bases and optionally one or more basesequences that are not complementary to said nucleic acid that is to bedetected, and (b) a detectable label, wherein said target-complementarysequence of bases consists of 12-87 contiguous bases contained withinthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:101 or the complement thereof, allowing forthe presence of RNA and DNA equivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to10% base differences, and wherein said hybridization assay probe has alength of up to 100 bases.
 2. The hybridization assay probe of claim 1,wherein the target-complementary sequence of bases consists of 12-69contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:102 or thecomplement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10% base differences.
 3. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 2, wherein the hybridization assayprobe comprises the optional one or more base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected.
 4. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 3, wherein the detectable label is afluorophore moiety and the hybridization assay probe further comprises aquencher moiety.
 5. The hybridization assay probe of claim 4, whereinthe hybridization assay probe is a molecular beacon.
 6. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 4, wherein the target-complementarysequence of bases consists of a sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO:179, SEQ ID NO:180, SEQ ID NO:181, SEQ IDNO:182, and SEQ ID NO:183, including complements and DNA equivalentsthereof.
 8. The hybridization assay probe of claim 4, wherein thetarget-complementary sequence of bases consists of a sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ IDNO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:114, andSEQ ID NO:116, including complements and RNA equivalents thereof.
 9. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 2, wherein the probe sequence doesnot comprise the optional one or more base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected.
 10. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 9, wherein the hybridization assayprobe has a length of up to 69 bases.
 11. The hybridization assay probeof claim 2, wherein the target-complementary sequence of bases consistsof 18-52 contiguous bases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:103or the complement thereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNAequivalents, nucleotide analogs and up to 10% base differences.
 12. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 11, wherein the probe sequence doesnot comprise the optional one or more base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected.
 13. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 12, wherein the detectable label isselected from the group consisting of a chemiluminescent label and afluorescent label.
 14. The hybridization assay probe of claim 11,wherein said hybridization assay probe has a length of up to 52 bases.15. The hybridization assay probe of claim 14, wherein thetarget-complementary sequence of bases consists of 18-22 contiguousbases contained within the sequence of SEQ ID NO:103 or the complementthereof, allowing for the presence of RNA and DNA equivalents,nucleotide analogs and up to 10% base differences, and wherein thehybridization assay probe has a length of up to 22 bases.
 16. Thehybridization assay probe of claim 15, wherein the probe sequence isselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQID NO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:114,and SEQ ID NO:116, including complements and RNA equivalents thereof.17. The hybridization assay probe of claim 1, wherein the detectablelabel is a chemiluminescent label.
 18. The hybridization assay probe ofclaim 17, wherein the chemiluminescent label is an acridinium esterlabel.
 19. A hybridization assay probe for detecting a WNV nucleic acid,comprising: (a) a probe sequence that comprises a target-complementarysequence of bases and optionally one or more base sequences that are notcomplementary to the nucleic acid that is to be detected, and (b) adetectable label, wherein the target-complementary sequence of basesconsists essentially of a sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ IDNO:110, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:114, and SEQ ID NO:116, includingcomplements and RNA equivalents thereof.
 20. The hybridization assayprobe of claim 19, wherein the detectable label is selected from thegroup consisting of a chemiluminescent label and a fluorescent label.